Nancy Himmelstein, a Chicago resident, lives several months of the year in Fort Lauderdale, where she has been volunteering at Broward Health Medical Center’s gift shop three times a week for the past eight years.
“I find joy in my role at the gift shop, where greeting each person with kindness and patience brings me fulfillment,” said Himmelstein. “It’s truly remarkable the stories people share me with, and the comfort I provide just by listening, especially to little ones.”
Himmelstein volunteers from December to April, assisting patients, their families and friends in selecting the perfect gift and processing their orders. She takes pride in maintaining the gift shop so it’s presentable for all shoppers while restocking items as needed.
Himmelstein was on duty at the hospital during the Parkland tragedy. “It was just so touching to assist the community in such a time of mourning.”
Prior to her volunteer work, Himmelstein dedicated 27 years to teaching.
