Giving Back to a Community That Has Done So Much for Her

After stopping at UK King’s Daughters most weekdays for 30+ years to make deliveries or have meetings for her business, it felt strange to Jenny Mays to end her visits after retirement.

“I promised myself I wasn’t going to sit at home and do nothing,” Mays, who was co-owner of Printing Express in Ironton, Ohio, from 1985-2019, said. “I know my way around the hospital, so I enjoy helping others find their way.”

Mays started out volunteering in December 2019 at the then Heart & Vascular (now Parkview Patient Tower 2) desk answering phones and serving as a wayfinder. She was among the first group of volunteers to return to the medical center after the COVID pandemic.

“It makes you get out of the house and meet new people,” Mays said.

Mays now volunteers at the uniform/gift shop at the UK King’s Daughters Pavilion in Russell. She enjoys meeting team members as they shop for apparel, snacks and gifts, but she particularly loves the beautiful setting of the new, expanded shop. The checkout desk is next to a large window, giving her a nice view of the wooded campus.

She still occasionally volunteers at the main campus, filling in as a substitute when needed.

“I’m happy I’m able to do it,” Mays said, noting that a lot of her peers spend their days caring for grandchildren or are physically unable to volunteer. “It keeps me going.”

Mays, 70, also keeps busy with a small volunteer service she started called Old People Helping Old People. While the name is meant to make you laugh, she’s quite serious about the service which aims to help those who need assistance with small daily living tasks or simply companionship.

“There are so many people who just don’t have anybody,” Mays added.

Mays is quick to point out it’s not a caregiving service, but rather a way to help people with errands or shopping, drive them to appointments or spend time with them over a meal. Printing business cards for the service was one of her last tasks before retirement.

In both instances, Mays’ goal is to give back to the community that has done so much for her over the years.

“I’ve enjoyed meeting different people and spending time with them,” Mays said. “They have all been a blessing, particularly the other volunteers. Volunteers are A+ people.”

Considering volunteering? There are openings in several areas. Volunteers must complete an application, a background check and receive medical clearance from a healthcare provider.

For more information, contact
Amie Schwendeman, manager of Volunteer Services
E-mail: amie.schwendeman@uky.edu
Call: (606) 408-0959