The hospital gift shop has been open for over a year after closing during the pandemic but needs more volunteers to continue supporting staff, patients and visitors.
The business reopened in July 2022 after closing in March 2020 — 27 months — when COVID-19 struck. It took manager Leona Shepherd and her team several months to return the niche shop to working order — dusting and restocking — and ensure people knew it was available again.
“It was a little slow in the beginning, but now it’s good. They (staff and patients) were anxiously waiting for us to rebuild our presence,” she chuckled. “Every time I came over here to check on things, everybody would say, ‘Are you opening up, are you opening up?’ Oh my goodness, it wasn’t hard (to attract customers).”
There are 18 to 20 people who volunteer at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Hospital gift shop, although those numbers were higher pre-pandemic because some volunteers either retired or died during the 27-month closure.
Anyone interested in volunteering — with the gift shop or elsewhere in the hospital — must contact volunteer co-ordinator John Paul Hickie.
It’s been difficult recruiting youths because “nobody wants to work for nothing,” which is what volunteerism is about, added Shepherd. Furthermore, young people can only come after 4 p.m., while the gift shop closes at 4:30 p.m., and the business is closed on the weekends. So, the charity relies on retired people as its volunteer base.
The hospital auxiliary owns the gift shop — it has operated the store since 1990 — and earns profits through sales, while it also handles raffles, book sales, and other activities.
The auxiliary has been a volunteer group for more than 100 years in Moose Jaw, having started at the old Union Hospital with initiatives like making bandages before becoming a non-profit charity dedicated to financially supporting the Wigmore, she continued.
The group has raised more than $2 million to support the health foundation, which works to equip the building with modern technology. The group recently gave $50,000 — as part of a $150,000 commitment — to support purchasing a cutting-edge ultrasound machine that can detect cancer and other health issues early.
Volunteers enjoy helping because it’s essential for their health and well-being since they can leave the house, meet people, have something to do and be part of the community, said Shepherd, who has been with the auxiliary since 1989.
“It (volunteering) keeps us going,” she added.
Old high school friends Joan Morris and Muriel Howard are two residents who enjoy volunteering at the gift shop. The former started in 2017 after retiring from a 53-year health-care career, while the latter started in 1993.
“It’s fun. You meet really nice people,” said Morris. “I just spent 20 minutes with a couple (talking and helping) them with books. There were not from Moose Jaw, so I told them about the community.”
Howard agreed, saying she volunteers elsewhere and finds it quite rewarding since it makes her thankful for what she has. She encouraged residents to pursue volunteering since they can support the community.
“Sometimes you are the bright light in somebody’s dull day. Sometimes they have a bad day and you can lift them up … ,” she said. “It only takes a minute out of your day (to comfort someone).”
Some people visit the gift shop to talk because they’re lonely and have no one else, said Morris. Listening is a big part of helping people at the gift shop.
“We do what we can … ,” Howard said. “This place makes people’s day.”
New products regularly come in to the gift shop, so people are encouraged to visit in-person or online.
To volunteer, and for more information, call 306-691-6508.
