HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake’s physicians, nurses and other staff are not the only ones who promote healing and wellness.

An important part of the health care team are the volunteers who serve in nearly every department of the hospital.

On April 20, the hospital celebrated the service of its dedicated volunteers with a special luncheon at the Greenview Restaurant in Hidden Valley Lake.

In 2015, St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake’s volunteers served a combined 38,500 hours, the equivalent of more than 18 full-time employees.

The volunteers serve throughout the hospital, from assisting with clerical tasks to driving patients from the parking lot to the hospital entrance on a golf cart.

They are most visible at the check-in desk, where they greet patients and help them find their destination within the hospital.

“The warm welcome of a volunteer creates the first impression of our hospital,” says Audrey Barrall, administrative director of human resources. “That is why we are so grateful to have such compassionate and service-minded individuals as part of our team.”

Each volunteer was acknowledged at the luncheon for their individual hours of service. Shirley Knobles and Lois Meisenbach were specially honored for 25 years of generous service. Knobles served 3,500 hours and Meisenbach served 4,300 hours in 2015.

Ardell Kochel of Clearlake has been volunteering at St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake for nearly 20 years. Kochel spent 3,000 hours greeting patients at the front desk in 2015. Kochel was inspired to serve by her mother, who was a surgical nurse during World War II.

“I’m a people person,” Kochel says. “I have compassion for folks who come to the hospital. We greet each person who comes through the door, and it’s a busy place all day.”

If you are interested in volunteering at St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake, contact Community and Volunteer Services Coordinator Jon Uher at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 707.995.5845, or visit www.sthelenahospitalclearlake.org .