She saw ONE Club as the perfect way to give back. In 2016, she spearheaded the group’s kickoff event, a donut delivery at the hospital and satellite locations. As co-chair of ONE Club’s Events Committee, she has been fi nding ways to treat staff to food, fun and encouragement ever since. “We’ve done taco and nacho bars, sandwiches, pizza, BBQ. We’ve done Tailgating with Turner Tower. In the fall, we fi ll pumpkins with candy and take them to nurses’ stations and managers’ desks, and at Easter we make baskets for families in the critical care waiting area,” she said. “Our goal is to try to feed every department in the hospital. I think we’re close!” Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the hospital had to suspend visitation, Amanda and Events Committee Co-Chair Merry Moore found ways to support and celebrate employees. “Initially it was such a shock, and everyone was in survival mode. We fi nally said, ‘We need to do something,’” Amanda said. “They let us do box lunches and have them delivered, so we’d do Chick-Fil-A boxes or meals with everything individually wrapped.” Through it all, Amanda has brought a personal touch to her volunteer work. After her father passed away in August 2022, she organized a quarterly “Buddy’s Breakfast” for trauma staff, a nod to her dad’s nickname, favorite meal, and favorite Regional One Health team. “He literally thought the trauma team could do anything – he had so much faith in them. These are folks he thought could save the world,” she said. “We go early in the morning and serve breakfast, and I made water bottles to hand out and attached a message explaining why we do it.” When Julianna’s birth mother passed away, Amanda asked if she’d rather commemorate her with a gift or by doing something for Regional One Health. Julianna chose the latter, and Kelley’s Korner was born to give NICU families access to cameras and supplies to create memory books. All of it has been meaningful for Amanda, who said volunteerism is something she grew up with: “I was raised that if you’re feeling bad, do something for someone else. It’s never going to be a bad experience. It can be a lot of work sometimes, but it’s always worth it.” She says that’s especially true at Regional One Health, where the medical expertise, caring and lifesaving work she witnesses leave her speechless. “I’m consistently amazed by their abilities and professionalism and desire to help. I can’t hear that helicopter coming in without getting chills every time,” Amanda said. “To me, it’s a way to be involved in the community and to support people who are truly saving lives every day.” “I can’t do what you do, but I can feed you, I can give you candy, I can encourage you.” Regional One He alth F ou ndation 15
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