Hospital Gift Shops have long been a staple in the entrance area of most hospitals throughout history selling a variety of goods from gum to get well gifts and personal care items to snacks. An oasis of calm in a hectic medical atmosphere, gift shops offer a way to step away from everything, providing those who utilize them an opportunity to do a little bit of shopping.
Since the very beginning and continuing into today, a gift shop has graced the hallways of HMC selling a variety of different products both handmade and store bought and dependent on the needs of the time. There has always been a constant in this equation that has made this successful. That is the presence of volunteers and their willingness to give of their time and talents to help support our gift shop.
The HMC Gift Shop Ladies, many who have been manning the gift shop for numerous years, are dedicated to the success and understand the importance of what a hospital gift shop can bring to a medical facility. Throughout the years, many of the proceeds that were made by gift shop sales also went to buy new or needed equipment for the complex. This tradition still continues today.
The current gift shop staff consisting of Elsie Long, Thelma Alford, Pauline Montonati, Phyllis Imig, Arlene Urbano, Osa Stokes, Rita Searcy, Chris Weasmer and Kathy Goldsberry combined have over 93 years of volunteer service dedicated to Hopedale Medical Complex and most of it within the walls of our gift shop. Dedicated women, like the ones listed above, have been a cornerstone of the history of this hospital since the very beginning.
Hopedale Medical Complex is excited to announce the opening of a new boutique style gift shop in the main entrance of the Hospital in late May 2016. Celebrating the importance of volunteers, the new gift shop will be named the Candy Striper Gift Shop and utilize antique medical equipment throughout for displays, showcasing not only an entirely new gift shop inventory, but also the rich history of Hopedale Medical Complex.
From purses to jewelry and cards to gift items, the new boutique gift shop will have a little bit of something for everyone meeting the needs of those not only here at the complex, but also the Hopedale Community. Consider coming and shopping at the new Candy Striper Gift Shop for your next gift purchase and see what we have to offer. Store hours will be
Monday –Friday from 9:00am until 2:00pm and we will be open until 7:00pm on Thursday evenings.
If you would like to know more about the Candy Striper Gift Shop and what we will have to offer, please contact Volunteer Services at 309.449.4290 or email [email protected]. New volunteers are always welcome and no prior volunteer experience is necessary. Consider being a part of the new Candy Striper Gift Shop!