It is with great pleasure that The Auxiliary to United Hospital Center announces volunteer Gloria McClung has been chosen their “Volunteer of the Year”.
Nominations for this honor are accepted not only from fellow volunteers, but from anyone who wishes to nominate a volunteer. A committee comprised of former Volunteers of the Year meets and reviews all nominations and selects one from these nominations. There are many volunteers who are worthy of this honor, but only one can be chosen.
Gloria began volunteering at United Hospital Center on February 1, 1998. She has always volunteered in hospitality, which is transporting patients who are being admitted or discharged. This 92-year-old lady does this not once, not twice, but three times a week. Gloria has accumulated a total of 6,590 volunteer hours. The only time she has missed was when she had a hip replacement and bronchial pneumonia twice. Each time she returned to volunteering as soon as she was able, probably sooner than the doctor would have wished. Gloria is 92 years of age and volunteering is her life. She has said before that if she didn’t have this volunteering to do, she would just die. She taught exercise classes at The Senior Center for ten years before she began volunteering.
Even at her age, she mastered operating our motorized wheelchair; she does it so smoothly and easily. Many times, when nurses call for a discharge from the outpatient surgery department, they will specifically ask if Gloria is working and request her.
Gloria was born in Clarksburg, WV and spent her entire life in this area. She was married to Charles McClung who passed away in 1980. She is the mother of three children…two sons and one daughter. Her two sons are Daniel McClung and Charles McClung, both whom live near her. Her daughter is Sharon Martz who is married to Dr. Michael Martz of North Carolina.
In her younger years, Gloria was employed by Hazel Atlas Glass Company, Continental Can, Brockway Glass and Newell Glass. She served as a selector/packer and wear inspection.
One of her hobbies is sewing; she is an expert seamstress. She has made men’s suits, all the family’s work clothes, pants suits and many alterations. She was also interested in ceramics and made several items in that field.
Gloria was a long-time member of The United Brethern Church on South Chestnut Street in Clarksburg. Due to several changes, many of the members became originators of The Oak Mound Evangelical Congregational Church in Clarksburg where Gloria is still an active member.
Gloria will be honored with a reception at United Hospital Center in the fall. She will also be awarded a trip to The Greenbrier where she will be entered into competition with “Volunteers of the Year” from each district in the state. From this group, one volunteer will be selected as West Virginia State Volunteer of the Year.
