HSHS Holy Family Hospital issued the following announcement on Aug. 16.
HSHS Holy Family Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop has received encouragement and support from Greenville community members since their fire in April. But they have not only received it from Greenville residents, the Thrift Shop has also received support from Sister Ann Pitsenberger, OSF, of Springfield, IL, and Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) colleagues.
Pitsenberger serves in development support at Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach in Springfield. A medical surplus recovery organization, Mission Outreach collects, repairs, packages, and distributes medical supplies and equipment to hospitals and clinics around the world.
Pitsenberger has been active throughout the Springfield community to collect items for the Thrift Shop. Her interest in the Thrift Shop began when she toured it in 2015, around the time the Greenville Hospital affiliated with Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS). And when she heard that the fire occurred, she wanted to help.
Soon after the fire, Pitsenberger began collecting items from numerous Springfield individuals and organizations. One of the major donations was an entire school library. She has also been collecting clothing that she ensures is in the best possible condition for the recipients.
Additionally, HSHS Information Services’ (IS) colleagues Jeffrey Gaines and Jason Winnett also heard about the Thrift Shop fire and wanted to offer their assistance. They began collecting items from their co-workers at the IS Help Desk Information Services Center (ISC) in Springfield and from their colleagues in the HSHS Central and Southern Illinois divisions. They even received cash contributions to help the Thrift Shop from their HSHS IS team members in Wisconsin.
Marian Embry, Holy Family’s director of volunteer services, shared her appreciation for the donations gathered by Sister Ann and the HSHS IS team. “The work that they all have been doing for the Thrift Shop has been extremely helpful as the shop is undergoing construction. It’s even more beneficial since the Thrift Shop is such a huge part of this community,” she said. “The Auxiliary Thrift Shop is the only department store in the area so it is a great place for all families in our community to shop.”
Embry also explained the Thrift Shop is also beneficial to the volunteers of Holy Family Hospital, as it is run completely by the volunteers. “But the Thrift Shop is much more than a place for them to volunteer. It’s a place where their time and talents help the community and gives them a sense of accomplishment and purpose, as well as helping the hospital and patients with the funds that are raised. And since the fire in April, our volunteers have really been missing the shop and being able to help the community. But we are excited that construction is underway and we are moving forward.”
Even though the Thrift Shop is closed for the time being, the volunteers at Holy Family Hospital are working hard to keep helping the community. The Auxiliary Thrift Shop is still collecting items but are limited in space. Items such as household items, infant and children’s clothes (of particular need are children’s sizes 6 to 14 and teen clothing), electronic items, toys and larger clothing items are being accepted. The Thrift Shop is not accepting larger items than these at this time.
The HSHS Holy Family Hospital Thrift Shop accepts donations on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to noon. For any questions about location or donations being accepted, contact Marian Embry at marian.embry@hshs.org, or call the Auxiliary Thrift Shop at 618-664-2728.
Photo: Donations for the HSHS Holy Family Hospital Thrift Shop were recently gathered and picked up in Springfield. Items were collected by Sister Ann Pitsenberger, OSF (center) from the Springfield community, and by HSHS Information Services (IS) colleagues Jason Winnett (left) and Jeffrey Gaines (right) from their HSHS IS co-workers.
Original source can be found here.
Source: HSHS Holy Family Hospital
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