Newsday from New York, New York • 21

Phone Items to (718) 520-0505 FOREST HILLS Hospital Adds 'Extra Hands in Volunteers New regulations and growing paperwork have increased the need for volunteers at many hospitals. Last January, Parkway Hospital instituted a volunteer program to provide "an extra pair of hands, according to volunteer services director Joyce Friedman. Volunteers, ages 14 and up, work anywhere from four hours to a Sew days a week. Some help with meals or "work in a nursing area, giving more personal attention," Friedman said. Others work in reception or run errands.

Volunteers have served as translators. "We do have a real United Nations here, Friedman said of the hospital population. 'She says that while some staff members speak foreign languages, they might not be stationed on the same floor as a patient speaking the same language, and using a volunteer is "better than moving staff around. But as valuable as they are to the hospital, often the work "does as much for the volunteer as it does for the patient," Friedman said. Some gain a sense of accomplishment, students learn about career options, and retirees can combat loneliness through contact with people and the knowledge that they are helping others, she said.

Starting the program, "kind of created a little bit of excitement, Friedman said. "It is good for the morale of the staff, and good for the morale of the patients. The volunteers have time to stand and talk to them a little theyre not always running off to the next patient. Newadajr The Unisphere, a striking feature of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, will get some attention from the new park administrator Arne Abramowitz, left. Photo by Elena Seibert New Park Chief Building A Career in Open Spaces FLUSHING College Museum Gets $100,000 Endowment The Godwin-Ternbach Museum at Queens College recently received a $100,000 endowment for educational programs from the Norbert Schim-mel Foundation.

Marilyn Simon, the museums curator, said Schimmel has been a longtime friend of the museum and has served on its board of trustees. She added that the grant couldnt have come at a better time. "Were in a growing phase right now, she said. "Were all very excited about this. Simon said the endowment would be used for programs such as lecture series, film showings, and publications that will supplement the museums exhibits.

The next exhibit, which is to open Feb. 18, is "Out of Sight, and includes electron-microscope images of marine life. Admission to the museum, located on the second floor of the Paul Klapper Library at the college, is free. For information, call (718) 520-7323. By Elaine Rivera Arne Abramowitz, the new Flushing Mead-ows-Corona Park administrator, says one of his earliest childhood memories is a visit to Central Park with Ins father, Max.

"It was something very special, said Abramowitz, a Jackson Heights native. "There was no green space in my neighborhood, only playgrounds, but going to the park, everything seemed so green. Parks have been a major part of the 34-year-old urban landscape architects life, and he has been able to do what few can do, combine his personal likes with a career. Abramowitz worked for the parks department for eight years, and two weeks ago was picked by Mayor Edward Koch to be the first administrator for the citys second largest park, the Flushing Meadows-Cor-ona. Each borough has an administrator for its entire park system, but prior to Abramowitz1 appointment.

Queens was the only borough that lacked an administrator to oversee its largest park. For Abramowitz, the new position is an opportunity to make changes in what he described as the "best parkland in the dty. Although he is proud of the Queens park system, he said he is always looking at ways to make it better. An immediate priority, he says, is to "move capital projects along. He plans restoration work for the Unisphere Fountain, which has been in disrepair for the past two years as has another structure, the Gertrude Ederle Pool on Meadow Lake, which Abramowitz also plans to renovate.

Abramowitz said he will push for new signs in the parks to help visitors. Now, park officials say, some signs are confusing and others are faded and difficult to see. Abramowitz said he also will work on cultivation and promotion of the parks cultural institutions, such as the museum, Hall of Science, Flushing Meadow Zoo, Playground for All Children and the marina. "Theres a symbiotic relationship between parks and their institutions, he said. "People come to the park to enjoy the institutions and vice versa.

In the past, Abramowitz has played an important role in developing and increasing park activities. He also launched the Queens Park Guide, a newsletter that comes out every summer listing activities and events. His career with the park system began in 1978, when he was hired as the program director for the Young Adults Conservation Corps. He went on to become director of CETA training for the parks system, deputy director of the training division, and until his new appointment was director of program development for Queens. For Abramowitz1 colleagues, Abramowitz is the person who can bring about what they say are much-needed changes.

"Hes enthusiastic and energetic, and hes got good ideas, said Queens parks manager Richard Murphy. "Tm excited to be working with him itll be a banner year for us. FOOTNOTE Chase Manhattan Offering Community Grants Grants from $500 to $5,000 are being made, available by Chase Manhattan Bank for community-based, nonprofit organizations handling projects in education, health and human services, housing and economic development, and culture and the arts. More than $600,000 is being distributed by the Chase Manhattan to groups throughout the metropolitan area as part of the banks 1987 Neighborhood Grants Program. To be considered, groups must file an application before Feb.

13. Application forms can be picked up beginning Jan. 5 at any Chase Manhattan branch in the metropolitan area. The forms should be sent to: Community Affairs Department, The Chase Manhattan Bank, One Chase Manhattan Plaza, New York, NY -10081. Grant awards will be decided by June 19..