The Villages Daily Sun

THE VILLAGES - More than 300 people cheered and gave a standing ovation when lung cancer survivor Marion Berg was named Volunteer of the Year for her compassion and dedication to serving at The Villages Regional Hospital.

"I love being with people," she said. "When people come in, and they are sick, or they need directions, or just some comforting, I want to be there."

The 18-year Villages resident and many other volunteers were honored Friday during the third annual meeting and appreciation luncheon of The Villages Regional Hospital Auxiliary Inc., hosted at the Savannah Center.

Berg, 77, never smoked, yet she battled lung cancer five years ago.

"I have one lung missing," she said, adding she is thankful to be alive. Volunteering is her way of helping others and giving back to the world.

"My total thought is when I get to the gate, and I'm standing there, and I can honestly say: 'I have used everything you gave me, Lord,' " she said.

Volunteering at the hospital has been her love.

Berg's eyes sparkled as she shared how serving at The Villages Regional Hospital has become her life passion. In addition, she does computer work at home for the hospital, keeping track of volunteers' schedules and makes the calls for volunteers to cover during illnesses and vacations.

"I have been a Villager for 18 years and I knew (Villages founder) Harold Schwartz. His dream was to open the hospital, and when they started building it, I put my application in and I have been here ever since," she said, adding she believes in the hospital and has no plans to stop her volunteer work.

Yet Berg no longer writes down the hours she serves. She stopped keeping track after hitting the 1,000 mark.

"The hours are not important; I'm not volunteering for hours," she said. "I'm here to do what I need to do."

The Villager also shares her cancer experience with patients whenever she feels called to do so.

"Survivors have to let people know that cancer isn't a death sentence any more," she said.

Friends, including Rena Marchand, call Berg an inspiration.

Marchand remembers when the auxiliary's board of directors were planning the awards ceremony, the board members knew Berg was deserving of the top volunteer honor.

"It was unanimous," Marchand said. "Everybody immediately said, 'Marion Berg.' "

"She does whatever is needed and even does things that are not part of her job description, like put up a Christmas tree. She does whatever it takes, and she really exemplifies being that kind of extraordinary volunteer - the kind of volunteer that makes the rest of us look bad," Marchand said.

Berg admitted she was surprised when she was named Volunteer of the Year.

"I never expected this," she said. "I would have had a wonderful speech prepared, if I did know, and I would have bought a new dress."

Theresa Campbell is senior features writer with the Daily Sun. She can be reached at 753-1119, ext. 9260, or theresa.campbell@thevillagesmedia.com.