Karen Evered

Karen has been a Guelphite for more than 38 years ago. She started volunteering at GGH in 2011 when she retired from 60-hour weeks working as a director in her family-run funeral home.

When she first began to volunteer, Karen took on a job at the hospital’s coffee shop. And she served a term as the Volunteer Association’s President 2012 to 2014.

Once Tim Horton’s established the coffee franchise, Karen found a new home at the GGH Foundation Office.

For the past six years, she has partnered with Rob Cameron, Senior Development Officer, keeping the Foundation’s donor database up to date. Every two weeks, she reviews community news and scans the database to ensure that all the listings are current.

Before the COVID-19 lockdown, Karen would answer phones and handle walk-in traffic, too. But since mid-March, she’s been at home, looking forward to the time when she can return.

Karen shares that she loves to participate in the operation of the Foundation. She finds the work and the office environment very comfortable. “Some people who volunteer want a lot of action, a lot of interaction; some like to meet with a lot of people — and those jobs are available— but that’s not for me. I like to work in the close and friendly atmosphere of the Foundation office.”

When asked about her reasons for volunteering at the hospital, Karen says, “I like to know that I’m contributing in some small way to the organization’s goals. GGH is an invaluable resource for our community. My two children and three of my ten grandchildren were born here; my husband spent six days here last year. Not everyone can contribute with big dollars — time and small dollars are important, too.”

Karen describes Rob Cameron, who supervises her work, as knowledgeable, caring, and “so appreciative.”

In return, Rob says that Karen is well connected to the community, and thus a tremendous asset in the database work. But more than that, “she is fun-loving, a pleasure to have around, and always willing to take on new tasks.”

Karen Evered is a star to the Foundation staff and an essential member of the GGH volunteer team!

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer with The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital, please email [email protected].