St. Mary's Gift Shop donates $10,500 to St. Mary's Foundation

St. Mary's Gift Shop on Oct. 5 donated $10,500 to St. Mary's Foundation for the hospital to use for equipment and patient care services. The funds represent income over expenses for the store in the preceding fiscal year. The store is operated by volunteers from St. Mary's Hospital Auxiliary with management provided by St. Mary's Gift Shop Manager Angie Patterson.

"We are always deeply grateful to our Auxiliary for the tremendous level of support they provide to our health care ministry and the patients we serve, especially those most vulnerable,” said Foundation Director Aaron James. “The funds are helpful, of course, but what matters most is the commitment and selflessness demonstrated every day by these wonderful volunteers.”

“The Gift Shop was one of the few service lines that we were able to stay involved with through the worst of the COVID pandemic,” said Betty Stoker, who served as Auxiliary president over the 2021-22 fiscal year. “One of our Auxiliary members, Faye Martin, continued to create her beautiful flower arrangements at home and would bring them to the hospital to fulfill orders taken over the phone by Angie. We are thrilled we have been able to fully return to the hospital and that we are able to make this donation.”

“Our Gift Shop provides much more than the items typically found in a hospital gift shop,” Patterson notes. “Yes, we have balloons and cards, but Faye’s floral arrangements are truly special, and we also carry designer clothing, handbags, jewelry, seasonal items, and even Georgia Bulldogs merchandise. I greatly missed our volunteers and am so happy to have them back. I love each one as my family.”

St. Mary’s Gift Shop sells gifts for patients and loved ones, including flowers, balloons, cards, clothing, handbags, jewelry, toiletries, snacks and drinks. Flowers can be delivered within the hospital at no extra charge. The shop is located on the 1st Floor beside the Atrium Lobby and is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1-5 p.m. on Saturday. We are closed on Sunday and holidays. Summer hours may vary. We accept phone orders and all major credit cards, call (706) 389-2548 to place your order.

^{Pictured are, L-R, front: Aaron James, Agnes Stell, Ronda Lockman, Faye Martin and Angie Patterson; back: Volunteer Coordinator Melissa McDaniel, Berni McCranie, Margaret Smith, Betty Stoker, and Vice President Operations Jeff Brown}