“The services offered by CHMRC are beneficial and essential to the individuals they serve, and it feels good to be part of such an effort,” – Diana.

In celebration of National Volunteer Month, we are highlighting one of many dedicated volunteers at CHRMC who have made the incredible work of the CHMRC network possible.

Volunteering is an excellent way to give back to your community, help others, and gain personal fulfillment. For one retired credit union branch manager, volunteering has become a calling, a way to make a difference, and continue serving the public.

In early 2021, when the COVID-19 vaccine became available, Diana Bell’s church, Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Fairfield, California, became a vaccination site and called on volunteers to help. As someone eager to get vaccinated, Diana saw this as an opportunity to increase her chances of getting her vaccine early. Working alongside Steven Brown, a member of her church who had organized the volunteer effort as CHMRC’s Volunteer Manager, Diana’s interest in volunteering continued to grow. Brown introduced her to CHRMC, where she signed up to be a volunteer.

“The services offered by CHMRC are beneficial and essential to the individuals they serve, and it feels good to be part of such an effort,” – Diana.

Creating Impact for Good

Since October 2021, Diana has been an active volunteer with CHMRC, serving as a non-medical volunteer at the Vallejo Fairgrounds location. She began by observing the public after they received their COVID-19 vaccine to ensure they were feeling okay before leaving the location. Now, she serves as a greeter at community events, such as Health & Wellness Fairs, Back to School Day, The Fall Harvest Wellness Fair, and Blood Drives offered at the Hub in Solano Town Center. Her duties include greeting guests, directing them to the services offered, asking guests to complete surveys, handing out informational pamphlets, giving out masks, and informing them about volunteer opportunities.

Although no training was required to become a non-medical volunteer, Diana attended some of the training courses offered by CHMRC, such as Stop the Bleed, Narcan and EpiPen Administration, and First Aid Training. She found these training sessions to be very informative and helpful in understanding how to assist injured individuals with lifesaving first aid and how to respond when someone overdoses on drugs or has an allergic reaction.

Community Connection

Diana’s most memorable experience as a volunteer was consoling a woman who suffered from PTSD at the COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Vallejo. The woman had recently lost her husband, and Diana’s own story of having suffered from PTSD after being held up at gunpoint as a credit union branch manager seemed to give her some comfort. By the time she left the clinic, she thanked Diana for taking the time to console her and share her story.

Volunteering with CHMRC has had a significant impact on Diana’s personal and professional life. In 2015, she took a medical leave of absence from her job after the robbery and went through several years of therapy. Eventually, she retired from the banking industry but needed to keep herself busy. Volunteering at her local church and CHMRC has been life-changing and fulfilling.

Honoring a Calling

Diana finds it easy to balance her volunteer work with other commitments in her life. She believes that volunteering is a calling and encourages others to consider becoming a CHMRC volunteer. She has even recruited a few of her friends to join CHMRC and everyone affectionately calls their group “The Fabulous Five.”

For Diana, the most important aspect of being an MRC volunteer is providing accurate information to the public. In times of crisis, such as during the pandemic, misinformation can be detrimental. As a volunteer, she shows people that she believes in the services offered and encourages them to trust in the organization’s services. Collaborating with the church and other organizations to provide services to the communities they serve is crucial.

Diana’s story is an inspiration and a testament to the power of volunteering. Whether you are retired, a working professional, or a student. For more information on how to sign up to become a CHMRC volunteer, visit our volunteer page or email volunteerinfo@californiahealthmrc.org.