I would suggest training those volunteers to do several other things.  Our flowers come in to the information desk so I try to teach the ladies to help at the desk with directions or even escorting visitors to hard to find areas.  Those who don't want to learn the desk do projects or mailouts in the volunteer office.  I even have some that cut off arm bands for the blood bank and that takes about an hour of their time.  I guess it all depends on what the volunteer is willing to do.  Good luck!

Jan Verbeck wrote:Greetings everyone and Happy New Year!  I would love to hear from any of you who have experienced a similar situation to the following, and would like to know how you have addressed it.  We have noticed a big downturn in the number of flower deliveries being made by our volunteers, particularly over the last year or two.  We currently have a central receiving area where florists bring flowers for patients & employees.  Volunteers accept the flowers and then deliver them.  It has gotten to the point where it's a waste of time some days for the volunteers to come in.  I've proposed combining the flower delivery service with the patient mail delivery service, which has also slacked off in recent years, but the volunteers weren't too excited about that idea.  Please share any creative ideas for continuing this service to our patients, while making sure our volunteers' time is being well spent.  Thank you!

Has anyone negotiated with their local florists for them to donate their "delivery fee"  to the hospital auxiliary/guild/society or foundation or perhaps contribute a portion of what they charge their customers since the florist does not have to take the time to go to  a patient room?