A 'jewel' of a volunteer

• A day of milestones

Woodwinds Heath Campus volunteer Erma Jewel celebrated two milestones Jan. 21 — her 90th birthday and her 1,000th volunteer hour.

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Erma Juhl started volunteering three days per week at Woodwinds Health Campus in 2007 and she hasn’t missed a day since — not even last week when temperatures dropped to 15 below zero.

Juhl, of south Maplewood, celebrated her 90th birthday, as well as her 1,000th volunteer hour on Jan. 21. Woodwinds staff threw the longtime-volunteer a surprise birthday party.

“Everything about her everybody loves,” Woodwinds employee Lisa Somerville said.

Public relations coordinator Jodi Ritaca said Juhl is Woodwinds’ oldest volunteer.

Juhl, who works 12 hours a week, said she decided to start working at Woodwinds four years ago after she retired from 3M and was home with nothing to do.

“I didn’t want to stay at home and do nothing,” she said.

Juhl began her tenure at Woodwinds as a receptionist in the maternity ward. She eventually moved over to the welcome desk.

Juhl’s average day involves welcoming patients to Woodwinds and helping them find their way. Jewel said she walks an average of four miles a day throughout the hospital.

“I really enjoy it here,” she said. “I enjoy the people I meet and I enjoy the people I work with.”

Somerville said the fact that Juhl is so approachable, personable and friendly that makes her one of Woodwinds’ best volunteers.

An example of Juhl’s friendliness is demonstrated by the fact that she takes the lunch voucher she receives to the cafeteria and buys cookies for her coworkers.

“She just makes you feel good,” Somerville said.

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