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Joe Horst named Volunteer of the Year by Cindy Abole Public Relations Wednesdays are special days for Joe Horst. On Wednesdays, he makes his way across the Cooper River Bridge into Charleston. For Horst, its been that way for the past 416 weeks since 1993. MUSC Volunteer of the Year award winner, Joe Horst, receives the commemorative jacket from last year's winner, Felix Nepveux, and Anne D. Edwards on June 14. Horst is an MUSC volunteer and was recently named the 2001 Ann D. Edwards Volunteer of the Year at the annual awards banquet held at the North Charleston Convention Center.  "I really look forward to my Wednesdays," said Horst, whose quietness and shy modesty contrast his active volunteer side that is comfortable delivering flowers and filing paperwork to troubleshooting computer glitches and research. "It is an honor to be part of something that I, and many others, truly enjoy doing. That is volunteering." But Horst believes that his weekly efforts also says something about the place that has given him so much in return, MUSC. "Whatever I am asked to do, there's always someone who is grateful and appreciative of my efforts," Horst said "It's a two way street."  Horst began his early volunteer years working with the staff at MUSC's Program in Bioethics under former director Mary Faith Marshall, Ph.D., and Lynn Wooldridge, now working as the College of Medicine's doctoring curriculum coordinator. Currently, he is working with Sally Webb, M.D., vice chair of MUSC's Ethics Committee and clinical associate professor of Pediatrics in other volunteer activities. "Joe is a rare jewel among volunteers," said Wooldridge, who worked with him on ethics committee activities and the program's consultation service. "His loyal work ethics, dependability and honesty demonstrated his dedication in everything he approached doing. He is one who always gave his all." Horst also shares his time in other areas including pediatric psychology, the College of Medicine and sometimes assists MUSC Volunteer manager Susanne Banks and her volunteer staff of Judy Garris and Elaine Rudd in their offices.  "It doesn't make a difference what a volunteer does * stamping envelopes, rocking babies, filing paperwork or helping patients," Horst said. "It should provide the same impact among others, whether its pride, pleasure and satisfaction, plus other efforts." Originally from South Bend, Ind., Horst was a graduate of hospitality management at the University of Cincinnati. He first moved to Charleston in 1965 transferring from Tulsa, Oka. and then relocating several years later to California. He returned to Charleston in 1969 and opened Dino's Restaurant at the corner of Courtney and Cannon Streets. His customers were faithful MUSC students, employees and patients who would enjoy and dine on Italian foods. For the next twenty or so years, he helped to manage seven restaurants in the Charleston and Beuafort areas.  In 1992, he returned to MUSC in a different role. This time Horst was a patient and was admitted for open heart surgery. He became so impressed with the care rendered to him that he was moved to complete a volunteer application almost immediately after being discharged.   In addition to his volunteer work, Horst works part-time for Great Beach Vacation Property Service in the Isle of Palms. He and his wife, Janice, share their home with two pets, a German Shepard dog and a cat.  "I was totally surprised," Horst said, upon receiving this year's volunteer award. "I cherish my role as a volunteer. I also learned something new that evening about MUSC that I didn't before, that it's recognized as one of the tri-county's largest employers. I tried to imagine if somehow each employee could devote just one hour of their time to volunteering. Can you imagine the impact that would make on the campus and hospital, as well as the community?"  The year 2001 marks the 30-year anniversary of MUSC's Volunteer Program. More than 650 individuals participate as volunteers throughout the university and medical center. MUSC also sponsors a variety of volunteers from the community including the Volunteens (teens), Citadel cadets and retired senior volunteers. The Ann D. Edwards Volunteer award is MUSC's highest recognition of service and dignity. It was created in 1990 and honors MUSC's former first lady.