Volunteer Profiles 
Since she started volunteering at Rapid City Hospital, Joyce Bjork has clocked over 32,000 volunteer hours — more than any other volunteer. But Joyce isn’t looking for recognition, she just loves using her favorite pastime to help others.
For anyone that worries volunteering will be boring, or those that aren’t sure what they could do, Joyce is an excellent role model. She’s taken something that she loves doing — sewing — and uses it to help others feel better.
What have you done as a volunteer?
The thing that I’ve always done and continue to do is be in the sewing group. My mother used to be in the sewing group, and I started in about 1980. I’ve always been a part of the sewing group and I’ve been in charge of it for 15 or 20 years now. I’ve been on the board, and I used to do a lot of computer work and kept track of stuff to help out. I really just sew now, and we’ve expanded our projects a lot.
What’s your favorite part of volunteering?
I think it’s good for everybody to volunteer doing something they like; sewing happens to be my thing. I almost never see the results. We don’t see people get a teddy bear or a heart pillow, but we know it’s helping.
Joyce has been sewing since she was a little girl, and has found joy in bringing comfort to patients through the years by doing something she loves.
What advice do you have for new volunteers?
Find your niche. I love to sew, but that might not be for everybody. There’s a lot of different things you can do at the hospital; some directly with patients and some not. There’s a way for you to help that you will enjoy or find fulfilling. You just have to find it.