In 1973 the Dalys moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. While living
in Cincinnati, Evelyn volunteered to work in a local hospital. She had been very active in arts and crafts
since the 1960s and had an idea that she could help hospitalized patients recover by getting them involved in ceramics. For her work
at the hospital she was named Volunteer of the Year in 1975 by the City of Cincinnati. Following is the nominating
justification written by a colleague at the hospital which led to her being honored.
Mrs.
Evelyn Daly is more than the prototype of a good Volunteer. She is unique - one of a kind
- in her ability to contribute - substantially and with impact - to the Volunteer area to which she has
been assigned. After two unsuccessful attempts to launch a suitable and stable Volunteer Recreational Therapy Program for
patients at Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, Mrs. Daly's presence was welcomed with open arms by the Director
of Volunteers. Her insight into the needs of the program and her innate ability to obtain results were apparent from
the beginning.
Within 6 months
of her taking charge of the program it was well stabilized and running efficiently. The favorable feedback to the
Volunteer Office was such that we knew we had accomplished our goal - we had a strong program of Recreational Therapy
taken directly to the bedside - its purposes were being accomplished - to lift morale, to
interest and please patients, and to furnish a souvenir of pleasant memories of our hospital.
Evelyn Daly's forte is her craftsmanship. Innovative - ceramics taught at the bedside. Twice weekly Evelyn wends
her way with pushcart and basket to all patient floors. She stops at the Nurses' Station to pick up a list of
those whom the Nurses feel would benefit most from the therapy. These patients get first attention; then other
patients as well are offered the opportunity to pick a piece of greenware from the basket and decide on the type
of glaze they wish to use. Mrs. Daly instructs the patients on the procedure and then leaves them to finish
"without anyone looking over their shoulder".
At the end of the day- the glazed pieces are carefully collected, repacked in the basket and are taken home by
Mrs. Daly for firing in her own kiln. She returns the next day with the finished pieces and thoroughly enjoys
the reaction of the patients at the beautifully finished ceramic piece that they did - their pleasure is the only
reward that Evelyn needs to give her added incentive and satisfaction of knowing its all worthwhile.
Since the program is offered to patients free of charge (and other crafts are offered as well), the program had
been hobbled at times by a source of revenue for supplies. Evelyn solved this problem, again by her own resourcefulness.
Noting the interest among personnel over the finished ceramic pieces, she suggested that she would be willing to
purchase the greenware for them and then to instruct them in the procedure. They would then glaze the pieces and
she would take them home and fire them in her kiln. She would do this for a donation to the program. Many responded
and her creativity then took her one step farther- buying supplies with the donations that came in, Evelyn started to
make hanging ceramic flower pots and bird cages which she quietly placed on her recreational cart. If someone
inquired about some piece, she would say "you may have it for a donation of so much to the program". Soon she
was making many, many more and other things as well- wind chimes and candles, vases and planters- even taking orders
for special items. As a result the program is very financially stable and has its own bank account.
Evelyn Daly is tireless in her efforts for the patients and the program. Besides her routine volunteer hours at
the hospital, she puts in many, many hours at home-she has donated the use of her kiln and some of her own supplies,
as well as absorbing the bill for electricity used in firing the kiln. She does all the buying of supplies often
getting additional donations from the shop as well. Mrs. Daly has accomplished success single-handedly. When the
time was right she selected her own assistant with the approval of the Director of Volunteers, and is training her
in the duties the program requires. A second instructor in needlecrafts has been added as well to complete a well-rounded
Recreational Therapy Program to the patients.
The ingredients for Evelyn Daly's success as a Volunteer in this area are the tremendous amount time and effort she
has given in the field she knows best-Arts & Crafts. It is giving of self to serve others in a creative, innovative way,
which stimulates interest and enthusiasm. It is the combination of a pleasant personality, which has left its impact
on all the personnel and patients, and an intelligent approach to organize and coordinate opportunities to make the
program stable and self-serving. She has done much to enhance the image of the hospital she serves.
For these reasons I nominate Evelyn Daly for "Volunteer of the Year".