Immigrant honored for volunteer efforts

Seton Health System in Troy recently honored Helen Kujbida, 77, of Latham as its Volunteer of the Year.

The honor came as a complete surprise to a woman who said, "I'm there to work, to help out, to make a difference in someone else's life."

Retired for 13 years, she volunteers in the orthopedic unit at St. Mary's Hospital.

Parish volunteer

Mrs. Kujbida has also been involved in her parish, Immaculate Conception in Watervliet.

She is a former greeter and still a member of the Altar/Rosary Society. She's also part of a team that prepares meals for Joseph House, a homeless shelter in Troy.

Parish groups take turns buying, preparing and taking food to the shelter on a rotating basis. Mrs. Kujbida prepares the cooking schedule as well.

Pitching in

After she retired, Mrs. Kujbida wanted to become involved in some work that would help others.

"That's when I decided to go to the hospital," she noted. "I make myself available to help the nurses any way I can. I sit and chat with the patients, complete the patient name and information cards, or bring meal trays to them."

In addition, she assists with any clerical work that needs to be done.

Immigrant

In 1956, Mrs. Kujbida, her husband and their young daughter came to the U.S. from England, where they had lived during World War II. Her husband was a pilot for a Polish division of the Royal Air Force.

Mrs. Kujbida's cousin, who lived in the Capital District, sponsored the family's immigration. Seven years later, her husband died.

"I was seven months pregnant with our son at the time, and our daughter was 15," she recalled. "I couldn't go to work for a while after the baby was born; but, eventually, I was able to work part-time to help make ends meet. I remember praying a lot back then."

The grandmother of three and great-grandmother of one is amazed at having received an award for volunteering.

"Actually," she said, "I couldn't think of anything to say. I was speechless!"

(9/23/04)