Award: Volunteer
Harriet Miller has logged more than 3,000 hours at Chesapeake Regional Healthcare since she began volunteering 30 years ago.
At 89, she is determined to continue because she loves helping others. Most recently, she has taken to knitting hats for newborns and has completed 109 so far.
“She is an asset to our volunteer team — passionate, reliable, a team player, organized, patient, creative, energetic, positive, always willing to help,” said Anne Crow, director of volunteer services. “Since Harriet loves to knit, hats for our newborns was a great next step. It brings a smile to the faces of our new mothers, the nurses, and Harriet — because she is so happy to help.”
Miller’s volunteer journey began and was primarily in the health system’s human resources department where she put her career experience handling sensitive information in office settings to good use. Initially, the human resources director asked if Miller could help for a couple weeks. But special projects kept her coming back to the department for three decades.
Miller has led an adventurous life and traveled with her husband around the world, as he was recruited by the CIA in the 1950s. His work abroad enabled Miller to work at the U.S. consulate in Nicosia, Cyprus, and the American embassy in Rome, Italy. During that time, her three daughters were born.
In addition to volunteering, Miller keeps busy with hobbies such as playing the piano, knitting, classical music, cooking, gardening and bridge. She’s a fan of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, where she had previously volunteered in the business office.
Miller shared career and life insights with Inside Business.
Why do you volunteer? It is important in retirement years to stay busy, engaged and open-minded to new ideas. Volunteering helps accomplish that goal.
What keeps you motivated? Since knitting baby hats for newborns is my focus at this time, I understand Chesapeake Regional can see up to 25 births per day. That’s a lot of little hats!
What are you most proud of? My three beautiful accomplished daughters! Also, I am truly thankful for the gift of good health, which has allowed me to keep active.
What lessons have you learned? I realize that even low-level tasks, like filing papers, are worthy of recognition in the volunteer world.
Any advice for other volunteers? You will gain more than you give by meeting new people, learning new tasks and making new friends. Chesapeake Regional has a truly outstanding volunteer program, and I highly recommend it to anyone considering giving back to their community.
