Volunteer Spotlight – Dorothy Goodwin
Dorothy Goodwin’s caring hands are rarely still. They stay busy making things that bring comfort to others.
Dorothy spends much of her free time at home sewing items for Phoebe patients and their families. If someone dies at hospice or in the hospital, family members can give clothing items from their loved one to Dorothy. She turns those clothes into beautiful teddy bears that will forever serve as a reminder of the love those relatives shared with their departed family member.
For Phoebe Cancer Center Boutique, Dorothy creates light green satin puffs that have been given to more than 1,300 patients to protect sensitive areas after treatment. She makes soft fleece blankets for the emergency center, bright pillow cases for pediatrics and comfort pillows for hospice. Through her church sewing group, Dorothy sews wheelchair bags and bedside bags and teaches others to make them, too.
If you spend much time on the Phoebe campuses, you’ll likely see items crafted by other volunteers. Dorothy’s hands are involved in those works as well. As our volunteer buyer, she takes extra time to search for sales, saving Phoebe thousands of dollars. After a morning of shopping, Dorothy and her husband of 54 years, Warner, will stock the shelves in Volunteer Services with supplies needed for more than 30 volunteers. Those volunteers sew and crochet products that are distributed throughout Phoebe facilities.
Dorothy has spent her entire life giving to this community. She grew up in Albany and returned home not long after graduating from Troy University. She taught elementary school here for 31 years. She is an active member at True Life Church of God and has served as a Phoebe volunteer for 8 years.
When they’re not volunteering at Phoebe, Dorothy and Warner are often on the road sightseeing or visiting their 3 children, 6 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. They also love to shop for antiques.
Dorothy has a warm smile and a kind word for everyone she meets. We thank Dorothy for her caring hands, her servant’s heart and her unselfish commitment to helping others feel comforted.