Supporting local care through time and philanthropy

Ann Julian loves to meet new people, and she’s passionate about giving. So, it’s no surprise that she’s spent so many years volunteering at her local hospital, Advocate Condell Medical Center.

“I’ve logged more than 11,000 hours volunteering at Advocate Condell over the last 25 years,” she said. “After my husband, Frank, and I retired, we wanted to give back to the community and we started volunteering our time. I began by helping at the hospital’s resale store, the Blue Smock Shop, in 1997. Unfortunately, Frank was diagnosed with cancer the following year. He had multiple hospital stays at Advocate Condell throughout his two-year battle and passed away in the Intensive Care Unit in 1999. I wanted to honor our plans and his memory, so I continued volunteering on my own.”

Ann has now spent the last 22 years volunteering in the hospital’s gift shop.

“I take my work seriously, almost like another career. I try to give very good customer service to people. I always greet them, introduce myself and ask if I can help.”

She especially enjoys her conversations with customers and learning about them and their families.

“I find people so interesting,” she shared. “Everyone is so unique. They all come from different backgrounds and have different ways of looking at life.”

She gives heartfelt congratulations for happy occasions and lends a sympathetic ear when people are down or grieving.

“My heart goes out to people who have loved ones who are very sick or in the emergency department. I let them unload their troubles. I’m here to listen and make them feel better if I can.”

In addition to giving her time and talent, Ann has also supported the hospital’s programs and services by being a loyal donor for 15 years. She gives because she’s grateful for the compassionate care her husband received during his cancer journey, and she wants to support health care in her community.

“My husband was at a different hospital initially, and I transferred him to Advocate Condell so he could get better care,” she explained. “He was so thankful for the doctors and nurses there and always told me how they were both professional and compassionate.”

One of the hospital’s family rooms bears a plaque in honor of Ann’s husband, Frank. She says she doesn’t plan to stop volunteering or giving anytime soon.

“I enjoy what I’m doing. I just love it, and I’ll continue to donate too. As long as I can do it, I will.”

How you can help

There are many ways to give including volunteering and making a monetary donation. Learn more about ways you can make a gift.