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​When patients arrive at Oregon State Hospital, many are admitted with only the clothes they are wearing, but through the hospital's Volunteer Services, staff are able to connect patients with the comforts of home – whether through clothing, books, board games or stationery to stay connected to their family and friends.

“We're fortunate that both staff and the community support us through donations that make a real impact on the patients we serve," said Ryan Stafford, Volunteer Services director.

The Volunteer Services department helps coordinate donations, volunteers, and outreach like OSH participation in food and blood drives to support the community. The small staff of two – Stafford and Lenette McClellan – make a big difference in the lives of patients and staff alike.

“A backpack may seem like a simple thing, but for patients who are ready to discharge, it means everything," said Jen Killikelly, an OSH psychiatric social worker who helps patients prepare to discharge. “Aside from being able to hold their belongings, a backpack or duffel also keeps paperwork needed to obtain a valid ID or apply for benefits and contacts for community supports safe and easily accessible."

While duffel bags and other types of luggage are invaluable, backpacks are preferred by patients.

“When they return to the community, discharging patients want to blend in and not feel like an outsider," Killikelly said. “Backpacks are used by people from all socioeconomic backgrounds and are carried at all times of the day. Whereas a duffle bag or suitcase appears more transient and is not as easy to transport."

The donations also impact patients' mindsets as they prepare to return to their communities, too, she added.

“When patients see me arriving on the unit with backpacks, their eyes light up. As they examine the selection, they engage in conversations about their future with the enthusiasm of a student on the first day of school," she said. “They share past struggles and aspirations about their future. I think leaving with a backpack provides patients with hope. I would like to thank all the donors for contributing to their optimism." 

Volunteer Services accepts donations year-round, and recently launched a coordinated effort to list needs on an Amazon registry to focus on the greatest needs for donations, like backpacks, as well as items to support current patients with books, art supplies, magazines. The outpouring from the community is always humbling, Stafford said.

“We've received hundreds of donations from our recent donation drive," he said. “We also had a wide variety of donations. We received everything from basketballs to coloring books to Magic: The Gathering playing cards. Each gift is a kind gesture. The generosity we receive is amazing."

The Amazon list will reset in November to include specific requests from patients for the holidays as the team prepares for its holiday program, Caring Tree, that ensures each patient receives a gift. 

“We recently sent out letters to groups who have supported us in the past. We invite any groups or individuals who would like to help out with Caring Tree this year through committing to fill gift request tags from patients (averaging $35 per tag), donating via Amazon (or cash/check donation), or volunteering to wrap gifts," Stafford said. “There are lots of opportunities to help complete our goal of a gift for each patient… either giving their time to organize and wrap gifts or through donations of items that patients have requested."

“It's our favorite time of year because we meet so many people in the community who want to support OSH patients," he added. “That outside support means a lot to us and a lot to the patients we serve to know that the community cares about them."

To learn more about Volunteer Services or to get involved with the Caring Tree project, contact oshvolunteer.services@odhsoha.oregon.gov. The OSH Volunteer Services registry is at https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/2NPVCJNPQILLB and will be updated in November to include specific patient requests for the Caring Tree holiday program.