Ann Scobey began volunteering at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in January 2017 as a Ready Runner. Collecting dirty wagons and wheelchairs throughout the hospital, she assisted patients and families in wayfinding.
After two months as a devoted Ready Runner, Scobey branched out as a volunteer to the Surgery Waiting Room. In the waiting room, she interacts with children, both patients and siblings, and plays with them as they wait for their scheduled procedures. She also cleans all the toys after children play with them.
Scobey said she came to St. Jude because she wished to use her free time to assist in accomplishing the St. Jude mission.
“I wanted to do something that could help others, and I love the mission of St. Jude. Any small task that I could do to allow the St. Jude employees to better serve the patients and families would be a blessing for me,” Scobey said.
Scobey said she loves to engage with people, and all of the children she plays with in the Surgery Waiting Room have left an impression on her.
“Each and every child and family that I meet are a unique and favorite for me,” Scobey said.
Scobey said her goal during her shift in the Surgery Waiting Room is to provide parents with time away from their children and to provide a distraction for children awaiting procedures. She added, “I strive to give the children a sense of love and comfort as they play.”
“There are many things we can do with our free time,” she said. “I find myself being blessed more than anything I could ever give back to St. Jude. What better place is there to love people than St. Jude?”