MIDDLETOWN — When Jim and Lola Bruner retired in 1990, they never imagined that in the next 11 years they would spend a combined total of 13,000 hours in the hospital.

        But they were there by choice.

        The giving duo goes to Middletown Regional Hospital frequently, just to help out. Mr. Bruner, 74, volunteers four days a week, and Mrs. Bruner, 71, twice weekly.

Coordinating the mail delivery at Middletown Regional Hospital, Lola and Jim Bruner volunteer together. (Gary Landers photo) | ZOOM |

        Priscilla Lane, Middletown Regional's manager of volunteer services, said the Bruners have been an inspiration to her. They were volunteering when she started at the hospital as a volunteer, before she became a staff member.

        “They welcomed me and helped me get started,” Mrs. Lane said. “They are very active in welcoming new volunteers, making people feel at home. They're just good, solid, reliable people. We value them highly.”

        Mrs. Bruner said she had so enjoyed volunteering at the hospital before retiring as an adult education teacher, it just seemed natural to go back after retiring.

        “The example of helping was set by my mother. She was a Red Cross volunteer at a hospital in Lansing, Michigan,” Mrs. Bruner said. Her husband, who had retired as a metallurgical engineer at the former Armco Steel Research Division, now AK Steel, decided to give volunteering a try when a former co-worker, who was involved in the hospital's Meals-on-Wheels program, asked him to help out.

        “After retiring, I wanted something worthwhile to do with my time,” Mr. Bruner said. “I started out slowly, and I liked it. So I kept adding hours. I like the idea of helping others, but I also enjoy working with my co-volunteers. I'd rather keep busy.”

        His wife agreed, adding “We feel good about doing this. We feel we're giving back to the community. We're real people people. I think we get more out of it than the people we're helping.”

        The couple, who moved to Monroe recently from Middletown, is also active at First Presbyterian Church in Middletown. Hospital duties include delivering flowers. He also is a mail-cart worker and a troubleshooter for the hospital's Lifeline program. They both work in Meals-on-Wheels.

        “Jim is also full of ideas and suggestions and many have been implemented here,” said Mrs. Lane. “We have a prenatal clinic, and mothers were having trouble getting in and out with strollers. He suggested a handicapped door, such as is used for wheelchairs. What a difference that makes!”

        Do you know a Hometown Hero — someone in your community dedicated to making it a better place to live and helping others? E-mail Janet Wetzel or fax 513-755-4150.
       

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