Willis Heck has a gift for creating community, supporting others, and leading by example. A retired community leader and former member of the Newton City Commission, Willis now dedicates his days to volunteering at NMC Health, bringing with him a lifetime of leadership and a heart full of compassion.
Heather started working at NMC Health in 2012. She began as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), then became a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) in the clinic, and later earned her Registered Nurse (RN) license.
The path to volunteering
Willis’s journey into volunteering began with a gentle nudge from one of his sons. Having served on the Newton Healthcare Corporation Board of Directors from 1998-2008 and 2012-2021, Willis understood the pivotal role volunteers play in healthcare. “Since I’m retired, I have time to do volunteering,” he explains. “I like being a part of helping others, so it looked like a good fit.”
For the past two years, Willis has been a steadfast presence at the hospital, no matter the weather, contributing an average of three to five hours each week. His primary responsibilities include checking soap and hand sanitization dispensers and processing mail. Although these tasks may seem small, Willis knows their impact is significant. “It’s rewarding because you know that you’re doing something that helps others and helps the hospital.”
Heather had worked with children before and missed it. She knew she wanted to make a positive impact on a young person’s future.
Heather is just getting started as a Big Sister—she was matched with her Little earlier this year! Though she’s still new to the program, she’s already excited about the experiences ahead. She plans to eat lunch with her Little every week and hopes to do fun activities together over the summer.
Building bonds and creating memories
Throughout his time as a volunteer, Willis has formed special relationships with fellow volunteers and staff. These bonds have made his experience even more meaningful. “I enjoy working with other volunteers,” he shares.
A particularly memorable moment for Willis occurred while checking dispensers in a hospital room. He unexpectedly encountered a friend who was a patient, reminding him of the personal connections that often arise in volunteer work, especially in a community hospital.
A perspective on community and healthcare
Willis’s extensive experience in community leadership has shaped his perspective on healthcare and service. “Volunteering is a very important activity in a community,” he says. “It strengthens the community to get other people involved in a variety of ways. They can be helpful to solve problems, share their talents and gifts, and I think that makes the community stronger.”
When asked what advice he would offer to prospective volunteers, Willis suggests, “If you have an interest, come over and talk to Volunteer Services. Give them some idea of what you would like to do, and then they can tell you what is needed.” His own journey of finding the right fit—opting for hands-on tasks over computer-related ones—illustrates the importance of aligning personal interests with the hospital’s needs.
A message to the community
Willis’s message to the community is clear: the importance of healthcare volunteers cannot be overstated. “Volunteering in healthcare is very, very important in our community,” he emphasizes. “It’s very helpful to the organization, a big part of that would be the financial help it brings. But also just getting tasks completed is very important. It strengthens the hospital.”
In 2024, Willis and 66 fellow volunteers gave 5,591 hours of service to NMC Health. That equates to $187,242!
As Willis reflects on his legacy of service, he hopes to be remembered simply for “showing up.” He believes that volunteering is not just about contributing to the organization but also about personal growth. “It gives you an opportunity to share your talents and your gifts. Then that becomes a learning experience when you work with others and work on projects. That gives you a chance to learn, and learning is healthy.”
