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Brittney Tice reads from the Western ‘Once an Outlaw’ to patient Billy Brewer. Tice has devoted generous amounts of time to working at the Roseburg Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Brittney is one of 46 volunteers in the Red Cross youth volunteer program called ‘Cheer-a-Vet.’ She works in the outpatient lab performing administrative tasks and with Brewer.
It was the perfect accessory to set the mood.
Veteran Billy Brewer sported a cowboy hat as he listened to youth volunteer Brittney Tice read from “Once an Outlaw,” a Western novel the two gallop through a few times a week.
“It doesn’t matter what she reads,” said Marilyn Warren, recreation therapist who oversees the student volunteers at the Roseburg Veterans Affairs Medical Center. “It’s the companionship and the attention and someone taking an interest in him.”
Tice isn’t the procrastinating type. At 17, she’s looking — and forging — ahead to her goal of becoming a nurse.
About to embark on her senior year at Roseburg High School, she decided the best preparation for nursing would be to place herself in a hospital environment — or, become somewhat of a permanent fixture.
Over the summer, she has devoted generous amounts of time to working at the Roseburg VA Medical Center. Initially, she was at the hospital six hours a day, five days a week. She was spending four hours at the outpatient lab performing administrative tasks and two hours with Brewer.
“Better than having a job,” Tice, of Roseburg, said.
She said her time at the VA has made her more comfortable with all kinds of people as well as given her a realistic view of the work field, which she hopes to enter into someday.
She decided to volunteer at the Roseburg VA for the exposure to health care as well for the opportunity to work with veterans.
“You get to see more,” she said. “If you get to observe, you’re kind of ahead of the game. I ask questions a lot about what’s going on.”
Over the summer, volunteering became routine for Tice.
“Pretty much this is all I’ve done. I’ve left town like twice,” she said. “My friend finally got me to go swimming the other day.”
Part way through the summer, she picked up a second volunteer shift at Mercy Medical Center delivering and collecting patients’ lunch trays, causing her to spend fewer hours at the VA.
Veteran Billy Brewer sported a cowboy hat as he listened to youth volunteer Brittney Tice read from “Once an Outlaw,” a Western novel the two gallop through a few times a week.
“It doesn’t matter what she reads,” said Marilyn Warren, recreation therapist who oversees the student volunteers at the Roseburg Veterans Affairs Medical Center. “It’s the companionship and the attention and someone taking an interest in him.”
Tice isn’t the procrastinating type. At 17, she’s looking — and forging — ahead to her goal of becoming a nurse.
About to embark on her senior year at Roseburg High School, she decided the best preparation for nursing would be to place herself in a hospital environment — or, become somewhat of a permanent fixture.
Over the summer, she has devoted generous amounts of time to working at the Roseburg VA Medical Center. Initially, she was at the hospital six hours a day, five days a week. She was spending four hours at the outpatient lab performing administrative tasks and two hours with Brewer.
“Better than having a job,” Tice, of Roseburg, said.
She said her time at the VA has made her more comfortable with all kinds of people as well as given her a realistic view of the work field, which she hopes to enter into someday.
She decided to volunteer at the Roseburg VA for the exposure to health care as well for the opportunity to work with veterans.
“You get to see more,” she said. “If you get to observe, you’re kind of ahead of the game. I ask questions a lot about what’s going on.”
Over the summer, volunteering became routine for Tice.
“Pretty much this is all I’ve done. I’ve left town like twice,” she said. “My friend finally got me to go swimming the other day.”
Part way through the summer, she picked up a second volunteer shift at Mercy Medical Center delivering and collecting patients’ lunch trays, causing her to spend fewer hours at the VA.
Still, she’s accumulated approximately 125 volunteers hours at the VA, enough to earn her the “People helping People” award at a back-to-school pizza party and awards ceremony. The male recipient for the same award was Mason Dunn of Roseburg.
Tice is one of 46 volunteers in the Red Cross youth volunteer program called “Cheer-a-Vet,” according to Bill Duncan, national representative for the American Red Cross at the VA, who runs the youth volunteer program. Volunteers range from age 14 to 21 and the program runs year-round.
“She has really good people skills — whether it’s with the staff or veterans,” Warren said. “She’s just been a great volunteer.”
Tice and Brewer were introduced in June, and she said the friendship stuck ever since.
Brewer, 66, was admitted to the Roseburg VA in 1984, making him the longest continuous patient at the VA.
“I like learning about him,” Tice said. “He’s quite interesting.”
Brewer was in the 176th Aviation of the Army Air Force, where he flew helicopters and served in Vietnam as a non-commissioned officer. He’s divorced and has a son and a daughter, both living in Lebanon in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. He lived in Arkansas before moving to Roseburg.
Together, the two play poker and bingo, talk, walk the halls, take trips to the canteen and read.
“We talk about the ‘Dr. Phil’ show sometimes,” Tice said.
“It’s the greatest show on television,” Brewer, 66, added.
“He’s gonna like you for that,” she replied.
Brewer said Tice has a sweet personality and added he likes to talk to her about his experiences in the military, enjoying each opportunity to talk with her.
“Makes me feel important,” he said.
Although life will get busier during the school year with academics and running cross country, Tice will continue to pay visits to the VA. She and Brewer have agreed on Sunday afternoon visits where she’ll read to him.
“He’s like a brother,” she says, putting a smile on Brewer’s face.
• You can reach reporter Jennifer Mathis at 957-4208 or via e-mail at jmathis@newsreview.info.
Tice is one of 46 volunteers in the Red Cross youth volunteer program called “Cheer-a-Vet,” according to Bill Duncan, national representative for the American Red Cross at the VA, who runs the youth volunteer program. Volunteers range from age 14 to 21 and the program runs year-round.
“She has really good people skills — whether it’s with the staff or veterans,” Warren said. “She’s just been a great volunteer.”
Tice and Brewer were introduced in June, and she said the friendship stuck ever since.
Brewer, 66, was admitted to the Roseburg VA in 1984, making him the longest continuous patient at the VA.
“I like learning about him,” Tice said. “He’s quite interesting.”
Brewer was in the 176th Aviation of the Army Air Force, where he flew helicopters and served in Vietnam as a non-commissioned officer. He’s divorced and has a son and a daughter, both living in Lebanon in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. He lived in Arkansas before moving to Roseburg.
Together, the two play poker and bingo, talk, walk the halls, take trips to the canteen and read.
“We talk about the ‘Dr. Phil’ show sometimes,” Tice said.
“It’s the greatest show on television,” Brewer, 66, added.
“He’s gonna like you for that,” she replied.
Brewer said Tice has a sweet personality and added he likes to talk to her about his experiences in the military, enjoying each opportunity to talk with her.
“Makes me feel important,” he said.
Although life will get busier during the school year with academics and running cross country, Tice will continue to pay visits to the VA. She and Brewer have agreed on Sunday afternoon visits where she’ll read to him.
“He’s like a brother,” she says, putting a smile on Brewer’s face.
• You can reach reporter Jennifer Mathis at 957-4208 or via e-mail at jmathis@newsreview.info.
<b>Anyone over the age of 14</b> may participate in the Red Cross youth volunteer program called Cheer-a-Vet at the Roseburg Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Youth under age 18 must have parental consent . Service opportunities range from visiting with patients to performing office work.
Participants are encouraged to volunteer at least four hours a week, although any amount of time is appreciated. For more information or to become a volunteer, contact the hospital’s voluntary service program: 440-1272. |
