Every Thursday, Laurie Hext spends her afternoons greeting people, answering phones, and taking messages, but she does not get paid.

Hext, 37, has been a volunteer at the patient information desk at Bassett Healthcare since she was 16 years old.

"I try to make the patient's day a little more pleasant," Hext said.

Karen Huxtable, a spokesperson for Bassett, said Hext is "an inspiration to those around her," not only because she is such an enthusiastic volunteer, but also because she gives back to so many people while sitting in her own wheelchair.

Hext was born with cerebral palsy at Bassett Hospital in 1968, but she does not let her disease bring her down. Currently living in Richfield Springs in her own apartment, Hext stays quite active.

"Cerebral palsy has left her wheelchair bound, but her sunny attitude and desire to help others is a tremendous boost to everyone around her," Huxtable said.

"I just have fun, just enjoy life," Hext said.

Laurie remembers the day when she was first asked to volunteer at Bassett. In 1987, she had an appointment at Bassett and was in the surgical clinic waiting room, talking with people as they passed by.

A woman approached Laurie saying, "You either know a lot of people or you are extremely friendly." Laurie replied that she thought it was a bit of both.

The woman turned out to be the director of volunteers at the time, Kay Kantorowski. She asked Laurie if she would be interested in becoming a volunteer, and Laurie obliged.

In the spirit of national volunteer week, which runs from April 17 to April 23, Huxtable said Hext is deserving of recognition for her efforts. This year's volunteer week theme is "inspire by example."

"Volunteering for me is a very rewarding experience," Hext said. "I really enjoy it. I come away feeling more rewarded. I just hope I'm giving something back."

There are a total of 195 volunteers at Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown and at BassettFs regional sites. They work the information desks, deliver medical charts, bring wheelchairs for patients and transport patients to dialysis. They work in the surgical waiting room and the medical records department. They are Eucharistic ministers and knitters. They help run the hospital gift shops, counsel heart patients, read to children and so much more.

"These volunteers are a huge support to the hospital and are always ready to help," said Barbara Heegan, Director of Volunteers at Bassett Healthcare.

During national volunteer week BassettFs volunteer committee is urging people in the community to tinspire by examplev and become a volunteer at Bassett. On April 28, Dr. John Davis will give a presentation titled "Bassett Healthcare, 150 years of history", during which the community can learn about the hospital's history and ways they can become involved. For those interested in the event please call the volunteer office at 547-3190 to reserve a seat.