NorthBay Guild Volunteer Pat Schwarf visits patients at NorthBay Medical Center with the popular care cart, offering everything from notions to books and magazines, all at no charge.

NorthBay Guild members are on a real roll—rolling out Care Carts to visit every patient every day.

That’s the goal of the program, which began June 1, according to Jane Schilling, director of volunteer services.

The carts are fully stocked with all sorts of goodies, from puzzles and brain teasers to books, magazines, note paper, pens, crayons, ear plugs and sleep masks.

Volunteers are handing out knitting needles, crochet hooks, yarn, cards and more to help folks occupy their time. Patients can even select the game, “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?”

If a patient needs to freshen his or her breath, there’s sugar-free breath mints and sugar-free candy. There’s even Efferdent for those in need.

There are two carts, one at VacaValley Hospital and one at NorthBay Medical Center, and both carts are rolled out to patients between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.

In addition, a wooden rose is left for each guest with a note: “Wishing you a speedy recovery.”

A penny jar on board the cart is one way patients or guests can contribute. Donations of cart items, such as yarn or crochet hooks, are also welcome, says Schilling. The program is funded by the NorthBay Guild.