Light up a face: be a candy striper

Updating services by increasing space, Salem Hospital opened a new patient care tower in mid-May. Due to the new addition, the hospital seeks volunteers to help assist staff and patients in the new area during the summer months.

Volunteers can give back in a myriad of ways. Opportunities currently available are for patient escorts, greeting and way-finding, as well as helping in the reception areas.

Salem Hospital Volunteer Services Manager Earlene Naylor has also set up a 90-day program, so volunteers can have a trial experience. The benefits can also be a boost for students who seek work-related training.

"Students over 14 years of age get career experience in the healthcare field, as well as much computer training; these are great resume builders for college and future work," Naylor said.

Professional work experience is not the sole benefit of volunteering for Salem Hospital. The health care provider offers a plethora of perks to its volunteers. These include a free flu shot annually, a discount card for local and online businesses, meal tickets/free fountain drinks, ongoing hospital education, discounts at the hospital fitness center and cafeteria, and for those who continue after a 90-day trial period– a discount at the hospital’s retail pharmacy.

For more information or to apply, contact volunteer services at 503-561-2577. Those interested may apply online through www.salemhospital.org.

Method brings ancient techniques into modernity

At the core of Eastern medicine is breathing and meditation. From yoga to ARCH healing, the energy that flows through a body has much to do with its state of being.

Being in a relaxed state allows for these kinds of practices to promote healing.

On June 16, a free Kahuna ARCH introduction is held in Anderson Room A at the Salem Public Library from 7:30-8:30 p.m. to show in a group setting how the practice is performed.

Reiki Master Debra Chaplin teaches workshops on ARCH healing, a practice discovered in Hawaii in 2000 that incorporates ancient healing techniques.

"It's energy healing," Chaplin said. "Unseen energy flows through the body, much like how you can't see a cell phone signal."

Usually an individual experience, ARCH healing (which stands for Ancient Rainbow Conscious Healing) is conducted in a chair with the "healer's" palms turned to the client. The practice is done is a completely non-invasive manner, without any touching.

"It's about the transference of cosmic and earth energy," Chaplin said. "It's done with meditation. You breath in and out the energies."

This practice is largely dependent on the recipient. It is based on the intention the client brings to the experience for mental, emotional or physical healing.

"We are merely conduits," Chaplin said.

For more information on ARCH healing, visit www.archhealing.com