wzr Hospital Thrift Shop Provides r Service As Well As Bargains

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COURT HOUSE - A thrift shop run onlirely hy volunteers to heoefit patients at Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital is proBabiy the modt productive business in the county In addition lo aiding patients, the Et Cetera Shop on Route », opposite Murphv's Shopping Center here, provides a service to area shoppers

looking for bargains

•'All monies' go to help patients.'' explains chairlady

Ruth Toft

"We gave the hospital auxiliary close to $30,000 Iasi year. This is the "Brinks" for the hospital,"

she joked.

The shop has a variety of items: • clothing,' books, shoes, lamps, games, p.ot£, jewelry and countless other things. The quality of merghandise is good, and local residents usually find ex-

cellent buys.

WE EVEN HAVE WHAT they call punk clothes," Toft said. "And we just sold a complete out-

others helped get the merchandise together. Catharine Letsche checked out some items as Thelma Rice did her usual great

job’on the shelves. •

"Each person ought lo give

back something they get from the world." Mrs Rice said, explain-

ing her involvement in the shop. TOUT LOOKED AT HER co-

workers. "Letsche takes every Friday of the month and never fails." she said. “If she wak away on a trip in Africa, she'd be back."

Most of the volunteers share

that kind of hard work and dedication, and there was a definite sense of unity of purpose and spirit in the backroom. Helen Metzger and Amelia Guerrazzi work-

ed up front at the counter. Michael Gegenheimer, 3, of

Clermont clutched a stuffed toy and smiled broadly. He went up to the'eounter. “I bought this doggie. I want this PLEASE,” he said to the ladies. Metzger smiled. “I have a ball." she said. “I always

liked selling — I love this.”

WORKING THE FRONT counter are Helen Metzger and Amelia Guerrazzi. The Et Cetera Shop is open 16:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday thru Saturday.

VOLUNTEERS ARE BUSY in the backroom sorting out the variety of items that are available at the hospital thrift shop.

fit of formal tails to a girl," she added holding up a flapper dress from a bygone day. "Our prices are good," she said. “Clothing prices are high on the outside, but hepe they're reasonable and the things are in good condition. We have very few people who complain about prices and those that do complain, enjoy complaining," she said. Once in awhile a customer gets more than he bargained for. "One man bought a ring for six dollars and found out it was a diamond,” Toft said. Volunteers, who serve as shopkeepers, sorters and markets (among other things), aren't always willing to do the pricing. "The pricer' is like a referee in a sports game Some volunteers are reluctant to call the shots and want to stay out of the pricing game. " Toft said. THE SHOP IS NEVER without volunteers, customers and benefactors who donate merchandise . Toft, who has more than 70,000 volunteer hours in the store, has high praise for the other volunteers who give countless hours to see that the shop is operated efficiently. “We have about 45 to 50 volunteers,” she said of the close knit organization. "I’ve been here 20 years and no one has ever left over anger. They leave because of moving or personal reasons. We run a tight ship.” Volunteers were busy last week working in the backroom sorting out items. Emily Gourley, Anna Ritter, Lorraine trueland and

Toft said people like bookkeeper Betty Claire Johnson, who have served the shop, for countless years, do a fantastic job in keeping the business going. Two men who aid the ladies, John Gourley and Dave Hunter, are always around when needed. "You couldn’t pay the volunteers for all their work,” Toft said. “They do it for the hospital — they’re all GOOD people. Edna Wright was another volunteer who worked at least 20 years here. She just retired and we really mi%p her,” Toft

said...“but she still comes in and helps us out.” IN SPITE OF THEIR hours of work, the volunteers are under rigid rules. “If they want to shop, they become customers,” Toft said. "We havdt strict rules and they must buy> out front. The volunteers understand this and respect it. No one shops in the back. We wouldn’t make any money if we didn't have that rule and that's our purpose, to make money for the patients," she added. The thrift shop has been doing a good job of it. Started in 1960 with Nancy Stewart as chairlady, it was first located on Mechanic Street. Parking and other facilities were insufficient, A controversy arose over whether they should more, but about eight yeys ago the switch was completed. The change was a good one. “Although we were criticized for moving, we did six times as much business right away,” Toft said. Easy access, closer proximity to the hospital, good parking and larger quarters all contributed to the success of the move. “We even kept the shop open during the moving. We made $17 moving out and $42 moving in,” Toft added. THE SHOP HAS NO need to advertise and is. .never short, of customers. "Petujle come in and say if it wasn’t for.the low prices, tjiey couldn't havlisent their kids to school,” Toft said.

Shirlianne Gunther of Court House is a freelance writer. 6/ JUNE 17. mi

YOUNG CUSTOMER, 3-year-old Michael Gengenheimer, found all kinds of goodies at the thrift shop. The hardest thing for him was making up his mind.

All merchandise is donated by private and commercial businesses. Sculls Hardware, Murphys, Marine Bank and other area businesses have helped the small shop for years. “Sculls started with us years ago-and stayed with us after we moved,” Toft said. “We used to advertise for goods, but now-we’re so well established there’s no problem. It seems almost everyone in the county is involved in our operation and we couldn't do it with them." Cape May, County Vo-Tech students repair faulty equipment. The shop pays for parts — and again, the hospital patients benefit. The redecorated nursery, equipment and countless other things which contribute to the health, comfort and pleasure of patients have been the rewards. HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR Bill Waldron works closely with the volunteers and Joe Jeffries, superintendent of maintence, also helps. “They’ll do anything to aid us and we have a good working relationship with the hospital. Nothing is too much trouble, Toll said. . / In addition to service to the hospital and communtiy, the shop also provides a great deal more. . “Nothing is wasted," Toft said. “Items that remain unsold get turned over the the Salvation Army or find their way to needy people.” “We've had people come who have had nothing and we help them. If they’re burnt out or if another tragedy hits their family, we're there.” Toft said. SOMETIMES THERE are interesting cases that need their help. “Some guy was traveling down Route 9 and got mugged and stripped. We supplied clothes for him We also work with the Welfare Board to supply necessities,” the chair lady said. Toft, a small energetic woman, is always planning to quit and turn the shop over to someone else, but her words somehow get lost in her dedication. In 1962 she said, "I intend to keep it another year.” But every year there seems to be another reason to stay two years. “It’s like a baby that you nourish. You can't just walk away from it and you don't want anything to happen to it. “I guess I’m part of the fixtures, she said quietly.