Volunteer: Penny Eller is Queen Creek Hometown Hero for December

Two years after leaving Chicago and moving to Queen Creek, Penny Eller began volunteering at Banner Ironwood Medical Center.

Eller was just picking up where she left off as a teenager when she volunteered at a candy striper in a hospital in Illinois.

With Banner Ironwood just two miles from her home, it was easy for Eller and her husband to begin volunteering at the hospital. Eller has volunteered in various capacities at the hospital.

All those experiences have culminated in her now being the volunteer resource assistant for Banner Ironwood and Banner Goldfield. In 2023, she was asked to be the patient and family adviser for Banner Ironwood. 

Name:  Penny Anne Eller

Age: 74

Town/neighborhood: San Tan Valley

When and why I moved here: My husband and I moved here in May 2009, because our daughter lived here since 1997, and was about to have our first granddaughter.

What I like most about living here: I was born, raised and worked in my hometown of Chicago. Of course, it’s our daughter and now two granddaughters, the weather and the lifestyle is wonderful.

What I do: I had a career in advertising with the Leo Burnett Advertising Agency in Chicago. After 22 years, I made the move to work with a large-format digital printing company and became a sales representative. I was the only woman and second in sales for five years running (our sales rep in the New York City area always beat me). I was finally burned out on those fast-paced careers and decided to pursue what I always loved to do and became a culinary arts student at the age of 53. I graduated in May of 2005, as a member of Phi Theta Kappa, with high honors and wore the gold stole and tassel at graduation, of which I was very proud because I was 55 years old.  

As a teen I was a candy striper for two years at St. Francis Hospital, Blue Island, Illinois, and loved every minute of being there. Being a volunteer was an easy move when we moved here because Banner Ironwood is about 2 miles from our house. My husband and I signed up and began to volunteer for Banner Ironwood in January 2011. I have volunteered throughout the hospital, supporting the volunteer office and senior managers, helped stand up a volunteer position in our WIS (Women and Infant Services) department, became the team lead/ trainer for the front desk, and team lead/trainer for transport chair certification. I am now the volunteer resource assistant for Banner Ironwood and Banner Goldfield.

In 2023, I was asked to be the patient and family adviser for Banner Ironwood. 

What I like most about what I do: As the patient and family adviser it gives me the opportunity to view the hospital as a patient and/or family member, then report to our Quality and Safety Committee what I see and how we can make it better. 

As the volunteer resource assistant, I am available for all our volunteers to help them with questions and concerns. I also support our volunteer program coordinator and our associate director of guest services. 

What does being nominated for this category mean to you? Just the title “Meet your Hero” is a very humbling moment. I do not volunteer to be recognized; I volunteer because there’s a need to be there for people. Maybe make their day or moment a little bit easier. Having been a patient, back home, and at our facility for an emergency and a long stay, I have experienced the feelings and emotions involved. Those experiences help me understand our patients and their families, giving me a broader capacity of empathy and sympathy. 

What does it mean to be a Queen Creek resident? Coming from a large city, this community is like a small town, which gives you the feeling of belonging and having support.

What do you think you bring to the local community that makes it better? As a volunteer, I hope that in some way I’ve helped someone feel safe and heard. It’s so important when you or a loved one is ill, it feels lonely. I’d like to think I helped them know they’ve got someone to depend on.

What would you tell people about why it's important to make a difference in Queen Creek? I’d tell people to be involved because we want to keep Queen Creek in the forefront but make sure we still have the small-town atmosphere. Know your neighbors, wave to people, say hi, it doesn’t take much to be an important part of your community.

Changes I'd like to see in this area: Well, I must say, I’d love to see more transportation options. That was probably the biggest obstacle for me after moving here since I was used to buses, trains, subways and cabs at your fingertips. I’d also love to see more upscale restaurants and entertainment such as live theater and music.  

Favorite community cause and why: Volunteering truly makes a difference for everyone. You get a sense of pride when you bring people together, help with projects and place your town on the map. 

My family: I’m married to John, who is a wonderful guy and a great partner in life. We have a daughter and two sweet granddaughters. And, I have a chosen family who I count on and love very much. 

My interests and hobbies: Traveling. We’ve been to so many places here in the states, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and overseas. We’re constantly planning where to go next.

The trait(s) I admire in others: Honesty, work ethic and respect for others.

People who inspired me (and how): My father, he was such a good man who was always thought about others and never said a bad word about anyone.  He was hard-working, a great father, was always teaching me and my sister lessons for life and loved us dearly. 

My guiding philosophy: Just be nice to people, always give if you can, offer advice when it’s needed and smile!

My advice to today’s youth: Be kind to yourself. Be open to opportunities that could help you be a better person, give back, and never be talked into something you know isn’t right for you. Be strong and speak for yourself and when necessary be strong and speak up for those who can’t. Earn respect, don’t expect it. Work hard and you’ll be rewarded in the most amazing ways.  

The Queen Creek Independent is pleased to announce Penny Eller as the December 2024 Hometown Hero bestowed in the category of Volunteer.  The Queen Creek Independent along with East Valley Institute of Technology and the Queen Creek Olive Mill salute Mrs. Eller as this month's Queen Creek Hometown Heroes Awards recipient.