ROME, GEORGIA. – The Rev. David and Bettie Pearson, volunteers with the Floyd Medical Center Auxiliary for 11 years, were named the Good Samaritan Volunteers of the Year on April 16.

The award was presented at Floyd’s annual luncheon as part of National Volunteer Appreciation Month.

The luncheon honors the more than 200 volunteers who serve at Floyd. Volunteers are recognized for their dedication and contribution to the American Red Cross, Floyd Medical Center Auxiliary, First Steps, Heyman HospiceCare, Floyd Healthcare Foundation, Floyd Medical Explorers, Arts in Medicine and Support Services.

     For over a decade, the Pearsons have conducted weekly Sunday morning church services in the chapel located in Floyd’s Inpatient Rehabilitation facility. First seeing a need when Mrs. Pearson was a patient at Floyd, the retired missionaries to Africa now sing, pray and study with a variety of patients.

     “I have preached to much larger congregations, but there is something very special and heartwarming ministering to the twos and threes,” Mr. Pearson said. “It is hard to explain, but I find the closeness, warmth and love exchanged to be spiritually enriching and very satisfying.”

     Prior to retiring to northwest Georgia, the Pearsons served chuches in five states and spent 30 years as missionaries in Central Africa as part of the Seventh Day Baptist Missionary Society.

     Kurt Stuenkel, Floyd President and CEO, says it is an honor to recognize Floyd’s volunteers for the many hours of service they provide.

     “As a not-for-profit hospital, we can’t say enough about how much the volunteers mean to our organization,” Stuenkel said. “The work they do is immensely important and helps us continue to provide the excellent quality of care Floyd has become known for.”

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According to Wikipedia, Floyd Medical Center is a system of health care providers serving Northwest Georgia and Northeast Alabama since 1942. Located in Rome, Ga., it is Floyd County’s largest employer with over 2,000 employees. Thanks to John Pethtel for sending the link for this story.