Jan 12, 2011

Sallie Bender Guild gift shop one of a kindBy Jennifer PascuaWZZM13.com

Grand Rapids, MI – The Sallie Bender Guild gift shop is no ordinary hospital gift shop. Not only does it feature carefully selected items, but the people who work there are clocking in without getting paid. Volunteers like Randi Kimball, President Sally Bender Guild, “We have people that do everything from ordering to stocking shelves to putting out displays to being sales associates on the floor.”

Kimball says, “A team of almost one hundred volunteers who already operate the existing gift shop over at butterworth hospital.” She added, “We have at least a 1000 hours/month of volunteer time that is given to the Butterworth shop. I can only imagine what our hours are going to be when we get this opened. It will be well over 1,000 hours a month.

Based on revenues generated from the Butterworth shop, the guild is responsible for raising $1 million over the past five years to make this a reality. Then the guild worked tirelessly to figure out just what to sell at the store. While toys seem to dominate most of the merchandise, there are also comfort items for both young patients and the family who stays with them.

Kimball points out such items, “We have blankets, we have pillows, and we have slippers.” Plus, there’s baby apparel, trinkets and jewelry, a library of books for all ages. At every corner, there’s something for everyone.

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