NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Southcoast Health today announced its 2016 Volunteers of the Year. The four individuals honored with this recognition are Fall River’s Judy Perrault, New Bedford’s Robert Texeira, Wareham’s Eileen Hardy and Somerset’s Stanley Boynton.

Judy Perrault, of Fall River, began as a volunteer at Charlton Memorial Hospital in 2011. She assists staff with many office duties in the Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care, and brightens the day of patients by providing a smile, conversation, snacks, beverages, a blanket and reading material.

Robert Texeira, of New Bedford, started his volunteer work at St. Luke’s Hospital in 2015. He serves as a greeter, escort and wayfinder at the front entrance of the hospital three days a week.

Eileen Hardy, of Wareham, is Tobey Hospital’s volunteer of the year. She has volunteered for eight years; donating about 50 hours of her time every month. She provides valuable volunteer support in the Emergency Department.

Stanley Boynton, of Somerset, provides companionship to patients in hospice care, as well as respite to their caregivers to run errands. He also participates in services honoring veterans who have passed. He has been a volunteer since 2002.

To find out more about volunteering at a Southcoast hospital or care center, call 508-973-7038 or visit southcoast.org. For more information on becoming a volunteer with the Southcoast VNA, call 508-973-3219.

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