50 Years of Friends of Strong
In 2025, Friends of Strong celebrates 50 years of service to Strong Memorial Hospital. Friends of Strong is an organization of dedicated volunteers and staff who advance the mission of UR Medicine’s Strong Memorial Hospital through volunteerism and fundraising to provide support and services to patients, families, visitors, and staff.
Stop by the lobby between 11am and 12:30pm to join us in celebrating “Dove Day” on March 25, honoring the birthday of Sue Grinnell, former director of Friends of Strong. Sue had the vision and drive to mold Friends of Strong into the volunteering, fundraising, and community-minded organization that it is today. She welcomed people into the program from across the region, including family members of staff, local high schoolers, retirees, college students seeking experience, and adults wanting to make a difference. Sue worked incredibly hard to enhance patient care at Strong Memorial Hospital and made a huge impact on our community. We have her to thank for everything we have accomplished and everything we have yet to achieve.Although there have been volunteers at Strong Memorial Hospital since 1926, it was not until 1946 that the Department of Volunteer Services was established. In 1975, a small group of fund-raising volunteers formed Friends of Strong Memorial Hospital, which merged with the Department of Volunteer Services in 1978. The resulting organization became one hospital department, managed by paid staff and a volunteer council. Its mission is to function in harmony with the mission and goals of Strong Memorial Hospital to provide volunteer services that enhance patient care, raise funds to support Strong Memorial Hospital, and promote a positive image of the hospital in the community.
All volunteers come from the community at large. They are male and female, high school and college students, employed, unemployed, early retirees, and senior citizens. Friends of Strong provides opportunities for volunteers to gain experience, have a chance to build skills, and to receive the incredible personal satisfaction one gets from helping others. In early 2019, the program achieved a record 1600 volunteers!Friends of Strong has several amazing partnerships that continue to enhance our ability to provide funds for patient-centered care initiatives. Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters and the Friends of Strong Gift Shop by Cloverkey help us to earn money by giving back a percentage of all sales to Friends of Strong. Advantage Federal Credit Union also offers a special Friends of Strong debit card that benefits our organization. Through these partnerships and various other fundraisers, Friends of Strong has given over $21 million to departments and programs throughout UR Medicine’s Strong Memorial Hospital since 1975.
Some of our most important historical moments include:
1975 Friends of Strong formed as a fundraising organization
1978 Friends of Strong merged with Department of Volunteer Services
1995 Patient Advocacy volunteer program created
2018 Friends of Strong reaches $1 million fundraising milestone for the first time in 43 years
Interested in a more detailed history? Take a look here.
Friends of Strong has come so far in the past 50 years. Our dedicated staff and volunteers are strong and continue to stay the course, proudly serve the UR Medicine Strong Memorial Hospital community.
In addition, we wanted to share our 2025 calendar for those who are interested in learning more. This calendar serves as a reminder of just how far we’ve come since our inception in 1975, listing all the events we do throughout the year and highlighting the different ways we help strengthen this community. It is a testament to our resolve to positively influence the world around us and to connect those who need help with those willing to give it. Download a Printable PDF version.
Emily A. Teitsworth | 3/10/2025
