St. Francis Medical Center calls Irene Eaker a "bad weather friend."

When snow and ice keep many volunteers at home, Miss Irene can be counted on to arrive at the front door, by taxi or borrowed ride, smiling and saying "Hello, I'm here."

Miss Irene, who is 92, began volunteering in 1977 and has given more than 33,000 hours of service, more than anyone in the St. Francis Auxiliary.

Her volunteer efforts won Area Wide United Way volunteer recognition this year.

"I love people," she said. "As long as I'm with people I feel so much better. The most wonderful people in the world are here at St. Francis."

She volunteers five days a week, including the weekend, when other volunteers like to take a day off.

Miller said some days, when the weather is bad, Miss Irene is the only volunteer who makes it in.

"Sometimes we've called her in on her days off," Miller said.

Miss Irene doesn't mind. "I've sometimes worked 15 or 18 days straight," she said. "But it's no effort. I enjoy it."

A versatile volunteer, Miss Irene can be sent anywhere she is needed.

Most of her time is spent in the gift shop, where she tries to make people happy. She has a soft spot for youngsters -- those under age 20 -- and gives them candy from her private stash.

"Of course, I never turn down a sale," she said.

At Halloween, she loads up a cart with treats for employees and their children and delivers goodies around the building.

In the gift shop, she often rummages around for just the right box for a gift to be wrapped. "It makes it look prettier," she said.

Pat Miller, manager of volunteer services at the medical center, said, "She's also a good listener, comforting those who came in looking for a present for a loved one coming out of surgery."

Visitors aren't the only ones to benefit from Miss Irene's thoughtfulness. She remembers many employees on birthdays or anniversaries with cookies or breads she bakes. The Auxiliary bake sales always have Miss Irene goodies on the table.

"Sometimes employees just come in to see me," Irene said. "I've never met a stranger.

Bad health this past year kept Miss Irene away from the medical center for a time. But she's back, ready to volunteer for another eight years at least.

"I don't intend to give up," she said. "It doesn't seem possible that I would be 92 years old. But I intend to be here when I'm 100. This is my home away from home."