Cities have their vast shopping malls. Villages have their general stores. And the community of Richmond Hospital has its Gift Shop. A convenient destination in a location where time counts, the Gift Shop recently moved to its new home next to the newly renovated Atrium in the Milan Ilich Pavilion earlier this month.
Operated by Richmond Hospital/Healthcare Auxiliary (RHHA), the Gift Shop serves patients and their families as well as the staff at Richmond Hospital, offering convenience and an array of items by its numerous volunteers over three shifts a day during the week and one on the weekend.
Sales of magazines, books, candy, chips, personal items, cards and stamps, pop, water and much moreall contribute to the overall revenue of Richmond Hospital/Healthcare Auxiliary. And that helps to deliver on the mandate to provide comfort and care, in healthcare, throughout the community.
Since its inception in 1967, the RHHA has contributed $5 million to Vancouver Coastal Health-Richmond care, purchasing equipment such as wheelchairs in the hospital, buses for Minoru Residence and Richmond Lions Manor, and funding for programs such as Music and Recreational Therapy.
Richmond Hospital’s very first shop was called “Gift Bar” and was opened in 1966, when Richmond Hospital itself opened in its first building, now known as the “North Tower.” In that nearly 50 years, the Gift Shop has seen four locations and countless volunteers who donate their time and service to help run the operations.
One constant for much of its history, however, has been 93-year-old Richmond resident Eleanor Peverelle, a volunteer in the Gift Shop since 1974. Well known to frequent visitors of the Gift Shop, Peverelle is among the longest serving members of the Auxiliary with a passion and deep commitment to volunteering. “Being able to help people is such a valuable thing,” says Peverelle. “I like to give. That’s my nature.”
Today in their new permanent home on the renovated and revitalized main floor of Richmond Hospital, the Gift Shop’s “Auxilians” volunteer many hours for the successful operation. “It’s a great group,” says Susan Hendricks, Convener of the Gift Shop, who oversees the operations and manages the Gift Shop volunteers. Hendricks, began her working career as a nurse at Richmond Hospital in its first year of operation in 1966 before embarking on other ventures. In retirement she’s come full circle to return to Richmond Hospital to offer her own contribution to the RHHA and apply her skills in retail. “It’s a nice match here. To do something and know you’re helping out, it’s a good feeling.”
