Sunday Conversation with Ruth Bridges

Ruth Bridges makes a mean banana pudding — and coconut cream pie and whatever else that she decides to whip up on Sunday after church. That’s not the reason that the 81-year-old is being honored for her volunteer service at Eastside Medical Center in Snellville (although the staff and other volunteers do love her baked goods.) Rather, Bridges is being recognized for the 13 years that she has spent working at the information desk, raising money for college scholarships and keeping medical records up to date. “Ruth truly loves and cares for our patients, which shows in her interactions with not only patients, but our employees and board members,” said Eastside Medical Center CEO Trent Lind. “She exemplifies what is so tremendous about the value of volunteerism, giving selflessly for the care and improvement of human life.” In early May, Bridges was selected as the volunteer award recipient for 22 facilities belonging to TriStar Division of the HCA hospital network, which includes Eastside Medical Center. A national winner will be named on June 26.

Q: How did you start volunteering at the hospital?

A: My husband, Bill, and I used to do everything together. We owned a weekly newspaper and a printing company. Then, 16 years ago, he was killed in a car wreck. It was bad but that kind of thing happens. My neighbor, who volunteered at the hospital said, "You need to get involved." When you have been busy all of your life, you can't just do nothing. I went over to the hospital and it was great. At first, I worked at the information desk where I met a lot of people coming in to visit someone who was either sick or dying. I always tried to make a point to talk to the family and make them feel better.

Q: What kind of volunteer roles do you do now?

A: Just different things. I work in the office, keeping all of the documents current and answering the phones and stuff like that. I'm also involved in the Eastside Medical Center Auxiliary, which is a group of hospital volunteers, both men and women. We raise money and give out college scholarships every year. We also donate different things to the hospital, like the fish tank in the lobby. When I first started volunteering, I chaired a committee that put out a cookbook and it was a huge success. We made a little more than $7,000.

Q: Aren’t you a really good baker?

A: When I get home from church on Sunday, I get in the kitchen. Whatever I bake, I take to the hospital on Monday. I am chair of all of the hospital's bake sales. Last year, my banana pudding won the "Taste of Eastside Best Dessert" contest, which was a fundraiser for Make-A-Wish Georgia.

Q: You sure are wearing a lot of bling on your volunteer coat.

A: We get pins for the years and hours that we volunteer. I do like all of my pins.

Q: What do your kids think about your big award?

A: They are very happy for me. My five kids live in Hartwell, Athens and Griffin. They want me to live closer to them but I am not ready to move. My home is paid for and my health is good. And I stay real busy at the hospital and at church. It is not like I'm here all lonely. I am OK.

Q: What do you get most out of volunteering?