decorahnews.com feature: Winneshiek Medical Center volunteer knits for newborns

Winneshiek Medical Center volunteer Barb Welgos shows a few of the pink and blue caps she's knitted for newborns to Jane Schmitt, a registered nurse in the obstetrics department. (Photos/story by the Decorahnews.com's Bob Modersohn)

Winneshiek Medical Center volunteer Barb Welgos, 92, can have her cake and eat it too, knitting "little baby hats," as she calls them, for hospital newborns, in her den at home while watching basketball games and pro golf matches on TV. Donating time to the hospital seemed like a natural next step after working in student health service at Luther College and having two daughters and a granddaughter who are nurses.

Welgos is one of 125 active WMC volunteers being honored during National Volunteer Week. Besides making cute knitted baby caps, other volunteers work the gift shop, provide flowers for loved ones, help with mailings, or sit on the Trustees, Auxiliary and Foundation Boards. Prior to knitting caps, Welgos worked the information desk and has volunteered her time there for nearly 20 years.

"Our volunteers are an invaluable asset to Winneshiek Medical Center," says Karla Bakken, volunteer coordinator. "They give of their time and talents for one purpose — to enhance the care provided to the community."

To learn more about the volunteer program at Winneshiek Medical Center, call the Volunteer Services department at 563-387-3036 or visit www.winmedical.org/volunteering.

WMC volunteer Barb Welgos knits one her caps.