Volunteers help Missouri hospitals

Volunteers are important to Missouri's hospitals.

Every day, hospital volunteers donate their time by escorting visitors, delivering flowers, holding a hand or lending an ear, said Marc D. Smith, president of the Missouri Hospital Association.

Last year, volunteers at Missouri hospitals gave more than 2 million hours of service, Smith said.

The hospital association promotes volunteerism through its affiliated group, the Missouri Association of Hospital Auxiliaries, which has 95 member-organizations.