Stop by the Aultman Hospital Breakaway Café on any Monday, and you’re likely to meet volunteer Paul Feltes. Since 2011, Paul has served in the cafeteria cleaning tables – brightening the day for many patients, visitors and staff members along the way.

A Family Affair

Paul’s life took a dramatic and unexpected turn when he was 17 years old: He suffered a major health issue that seriously injured his brain. After undergoing two surgeries and participating in extensive rehab, Paul rebuilt his life in a new direction.

Today, Paul is a fitness enthusiast and artist who generously donates his time to Aultman because he loves to meet and chat with new people.

Paul’s family has a long association with Aultman. His mother, Jane Feltes, worked at Aultman for 20 years, and today she volunteers in the retail pharmacy at Aultman Hospital. His dad, attorney Joseph Feltes, served on AultCare’s board of directors. So when Paul was looking for a way to give back to the community, Aultman Hospital was a natural fit.

By far, his favorite part of volunteering is meeting patients, visitors and staff members. “I’m a people person,” Paul said. “I enjoy making small talk and learning more about others.” Paul also likes the steady pace of his work in the cafeteria.

Fitness, Faith and Art

A Canton-area resident, Paul works at the Massillon Recreation Center, where he greets people and keeps the fitness room neat and the exercise machines clean. Just like at Aultman, what he enjoys most about his job is talking with people, especially with his interests in fitness and sports.

An avid Cleveland sports fan, Paul goes to games in person whenever he can. In fact, this year Paul is joining the Aultman Generations group on some of their trips to Cavs and Guardians games.

He also works out at a local Y and attends a Bible study group there. The group helps Paul focus on his faith and meet new people who share his interests. He is an active member of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church.

For the past few years, Paul has taken his passion for drawing landscapes to a new level with Silo Arts Studio in Canton. Every week, Paul draws landscapes at the studio, where he is encouraged and guided in developing his artistic talents. Silo Arts Studio will host a showing of Paul’s drawings in March 2025.

Paul is close to his family. In addition to his parents, aunts and uncles, he enjoys spending time with his brother and his family in the Akron area.

Paul plans to continue volunteering at Aultman so that he can make a difference for others. “Talking with people in the cafeteria brightens their day and brightens my day,” he said. And, he jokes, “I just like volunteering. It keeps me out of trouble.”

Visit Volunteering at Aultman for more information on how to become an essential part of the Aultman team as a volunteer.