A Heart for Service

Le Bonheur’s story has always been one of service.

When the hospital first opened its doors in 1952, it did so with a simple promise: to provide care for every child who needed it, regardless of their family’s ability to pay. That mission was made possible by volunteers — the women of Le Bonheur Club who raised funds to build the hospital, welcomed kids and families, and tended to the smallest details of care.

Seventy years later, a legacy of volunteerism is still at the hospital’s heart. It shows up in the hundreds of helpers who bring cheer to patients, stock the family food pantries, deliver toiletries, decorate the hospital for holidays and greet families with kindness every day.

And for three members of Le Bonheur’s Volunteer & Family Support team — Allison Smith, MPA, Jill Hilliard, and Hannah Rafieetary — that legacy extends even further. Each has inspired a family member to volunteer alongside them, carrying forward a spirit of service that proves compassion is often contagious.

Why Le Bonheur

Ask Allison, Jill and Hannah why they chose to work at Le Bonheur, and their answers reflect an earnest mix of practicality and passion.

“My mom always worked in nonprofits, and growing up I spent my summers volunteering wherever she was,” said Allison, who coordinates the hospital’s group, corporate and special events volunteers and recently celebrated 11 years at Le Bonheur. “When it came time to choose a career, I knew I wanted to work somewhere that also felt like giving back. I wanted to build a career out of volunteering.”

For Jill, the draw was working directly with families as liaison to the hospital’s Family Partners Council (FPC) — a group of about 50 Le Bonheur parents who volunteer their time and insights to promote a culture of patient- and family-centered care.

“FPC members volunteer on hospital committees, share their stories, serve as care coaches and provide the perspective of what it’s like to be a family member whose child is admitted here,” said Jill. “Le Bonheur does truly life-saving work, and I love getting to hear these incredible stories and plug them in wherever they can do the most good.”

I knew I wanted to work somewhere that also felt like giving back. I wanted to build a career out of volunteering.

And for Hannah, the allure of Le Bonheur centers on meaningful connection and interpersonal relationships. Hannah oversees about 110 weekly volunteers and has cultivated a relationship with each one.

“I love the people who donate time to Le Bonheur,” Hannah said. “Our volunteers genuinely care about the patients and families. Getting to help them care in this way is a gift.”

It’s clear listening to them talk about their work that these colleagues are more than coordinators: they are advocates, connectors, champions and cheerleaders, embodying the mission of service themselves.

The Ripple Effect

That devotion hasn’t gone unnoticed by their family members, several of whom are now regular volunteers at Le Bonheur.

Hannah’s mother, Paula Walter, moved to Memphis after her husband passed away, leaning into volunteering to get better acclimated to her new city while giving back. Through Hannah’s encouragement, Paula completed Le Bonheur’s volunteer onboarding, and today, she serves as a baby hugger — one of the specially-trained volunteers who spend hours rocking, cuddling and soothing infants in intensive care units.

“It’s rewarding to know I can offer hugs and human interaction to babies in need of comfort and also be of assistance to the nurses, who are very appreciative of our help,” said Paula. “Beyond that, it’s fun to see Hannah in her work setting and to volunteer with her at special events; I’m very proud of what she and her coworkers do daily.”

Jill’s daughter, Grace Hilliard, was so similarly inspired by her mom’s work that she became a unit buddy as soon as she turned 18. Grace spends her shifts cleaning playrooms, tidying up toys, helping out with special events like International Pirate Day and, most importantly, sitting with patients who need company. 

It’s rewarding to know I can offer hugs and human interaction to babies in need of comfort and also be of assistance to the nurses, who are very appreciative of our help.

“Being in the hospital can obviously be scary and a sensitive time for children,” Grace said. “If I can make someone’s stay even a little better, it’s worth it. I love seeing how even little things can make a huge difference.”

For Allison’s mom, Leah Smith, NP — a retired nurse practitioner — she enjoys employing her caregiver instincts to brighten holiday parties and special events. Among other things, she’s lent a helping hand at Halloween and Easter parties, helped “fluff” Christmas trees for decorating and passed out treats and toys to kids standing in line to see Santa.

“I know the hospital couldn’t pay staff to do all of these little things that brighten a child’s day, so volunteers fill that gap,” said Leah. “It makes me happy to help the kids have these joyful experiences.”

While each story is different, together they illustrate the ripple effect of community service, showing how one person’s calling becomes another’s invitation. 

It Takes a Village

Ultimately, Leah, Grace and Paula represent just a small sliver of the hospital’s broader volunteer force.

Hundreds of individual and group volunteers collectively give tens of thousands of hours to Le Bonheur annually, filling roles that range from staffing comfort carts and stocking food pantries to reading books at the bedside, organizing meals and helping make nearly 90 special events possible each year. From wacky-tacky proms to holiday festivals, each celebration requires dozens of helping hands. And still, the need for volunteers continues.

“Before COVID, we had closer to 200 individual weekly volunteers,” Hannah said. “We’re steadily rebuilding, but we’d love to grow back to that number and expand popular programs like therapy dogs.”

Our volunteers genuinely care about the patients and families. Getting to help them care in this way is a gift.

The impact, though, is already tangible. Nurses celebrate when baby huggers return to their unit. Parents cherish the break a comfort cart provides. Many volunteers call their shifts “the best part of my week,” and some even circle back years later, sharing that their service at Le Bonheur inspired them to enter medical school or other helping professions.

An Enduring Spirit

When asked what keeps them going, both volunteers and coordinators point to the same source: joy. Joy in the eyes of a child meeting the Easter Bunny. Joy in the calm of a baby soothed to sleep. Joy in a teenager finding friendship during a long hospital stay.

For Leah, Paula and Grace, that joy is deepened by sharing it with family.

“Allison is so passionate about her job, and the joy she shows when planning events is contagious,” said Leah. Paula expressed a similar sentiment, noting that “Hannah and her coworkers are my cheerleaders. They are so loving and supportive of my efforts, which makes volunteering such a rewarding experience.” As for Grace, she sums it up neatly: “My mom absolutely loves her job, so of course I had to see what Le Bonheur was all about!”

If I can make someone’s stay even a little better, it’s worth it. I love seeing how even small things can make a huge difference.

More than 70 years after volunteers first gave Le Bonheur its foundation, the hospital’s legacy of service is alive and well. It’s visible in the small gestures and big events, in the staff who dedicate their careers to organizing it and in the families who, working side by side, carry that spirit of service forward for future generations.

Want to lend a helping hand? Visit lebonheur.org/volunteer to learn how you can serve.

Volunteer Turned Associate: Grazi's Story

For Grazi Gonzales, RN, BSN, the path to becoming a Le Bonheur nurse began years before her first day in scrubs. In 2016, while finishing her undergraduate degree, Grazi spent most of her leisure time volunteering at the hospital — often pushing the activity cart from room to room to brighten a child’s day with games or crafts.
“I chose to volunteer at Le Bonheur because of its reputation for compassionate care and community involvement,” Grazi said. “I wanted to gain hands-on experience while supporting patients, families and staff.”
It was during those shifts that Grazi began to see just how much of an impact a nurse can make, offering comfort to patients in difficult times and advocating for their needs. One moment in particular stood out: watching a nurse gently calm a patient in pain.
“That’s when I realized nursing isn’t just about medical care,” said Grazi. “It’s about being present for others in their most vulnerable times.”
That realization solidified her decision to pursue nursing as a career. Grazi began that career at Le Bonheur as a medical/surgical nurse in 2019, caring for children with complex needs on the Medical Specialties Unit. Two years later, she transitioned into her current role as a dialysis nurse, supporting pediatric patients living with kidney disease.
Looking back, Grazi credits her volunteer experience with giving her many of the skills she relies on today: communicating effectively, staying organized under pressure, listening actively and responding with empathy and professionalism.
“Volunteering also helped me build strong teamwork skills,” she said. “I often had to coordinate with others, adapt to changing situations, and step up when extra help was needed — all qualities that are essential in my role as a nurse.”
For anyone considering volunteering, and especially those considering a career in health care, Grazi is quick to recommend Le Bonheur.
“It’s a meaningful way to make a real difference in people’s lives, and there are a variety of roles that allow you to find where you fit best,” said Grazi. “Most importantly, the time you spend at Le Bonheur matters. You leave each shift knowing you’ve helped someone — and that feeling stays with you.”