Utica, NY (WIBX) - They don't do it for the recognition, but today many of the volunteers at St. Elizabeth Medical Center were thanked for their service at the center's annual Volunteer Recognition Breakfast.

"We need to reinforce how much we appreciate what they do for us on their own time. They come in day after day and give of their own time, and help us out. From collating papers to visiting patients to running the gift shop," said Grace DeFazio Bouse, volunteer director at St. E's.

Fifty-six volunteer received pins as a token of appreciation for all the time and services they've given. Those recognized Friday have given at least 100 hours. Others have volunteered more than 30,000 hours at St. Elizabeth Medical Center of the course of their lifetime, officials said.

The Volunteer of the Year Award was given to Barbara Hauck of Yorkville, who has volunteered more than 2,200 hours over the last five years.

"I'm very honored. I love what I'm doing, I love the people and I love the patients," Hauck said.

DeFazio Bouse was also honored, receiving the Eleanor Nelson Award, given annually to an outstanding member of the Guild of St. Elizabeth Medical Center, haveing accumulated move 3,900 hours of volunteer service over the past 31 years.

One-hundred seventy-two people took time out of their own lives to volunteer at St Elizabeth Medical Center in 2010, officials said.

More From WIBX 950