On Jan 10^th The Sunshine Coast Healthcare Auxiliary reopened the Thrift Store after the two week closure.

There were approximately 32 eager shoppers waiting outside the door at 10 am. Comments from both customers and volunteers were very positive. The store is so bright and spacious looking. It will take awhile until we all find where everything is now located and there is still work to be done

In Sept 1981, St Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary opened its Thrift Store at the current address on Cowrie St. The old building was replaced in 1987.

Now 210 volunteers receive, sort and sell gently used clothing and small house wares for a reasonable cost. Profits are used by the renamed Sunshine Coast Healthcare Auxiliary to support major equipment campaigns like the CT scan and furnishing rooms for the new hospital addition as well as fulfilling yearly wish list equipment requests for the Hospital, Home care, and Shorncliffe/Totem. In the past 5 years, the Thrift Store has accounted for an average of $424,000 per year towards the work of the Auxiliary.

The current building was in urgent need of updating to provide a safer and more comfortable environment for both customers and volunteers. After a consultative process with both volunteers and community experts, a two phase plan was approved.

The first phase, involving the retail space, was accomplished over a two week closure between Dec 23 2016 and Jan 10 2017.

Coastal Dream Builders, RJS Electric, Sechelt Signs and Choquer & Sons Machine and Welding have worked their wonders and we are excited to welcome back our customers, donors and volunteers to the new space. Phase two, the back receiving and sorting area, is as yet to be scheduled..

We are looking forward to another great year of serving the community and supporting Healthcare on the coast.