By early afternoon, the tables were still nicely organized, neat, and tidy, but there were some big gaps on them – something that pleased the members of the Groves Volunteer Association.
It meant that there had already been major sales at Christmas in the Lobby since its 10am start.
“It’s going very well,” said volunteer Carol Kirby.
That sentiment is echoed by Joan Winstanley, the volunteer appreciation and special events coordinator.
“It’s been a wonderful morning,” she said, adding that the profits are likely to be good.
“It’s up there,” she said of sales into the afternoon.
The volunteers offer tables of donated used goods in a New to You display from their Opportunity Shops in Fergus and Arthur, donated gifts, a raffle, a baking table, and jars of preserves.
There was a knitting table, where people create goods using that skill – and donate them for the fundraiser.
The Looney and Toonie table in particular was popular.
“It’s a fun thing,” said Kirby.
She explained that goods worth $1 or $2 are wrapped and labeled so people know if they are for men, women, teens, boys or girls. The catch is they are wrapped, and they sell for $1 or $2, and the buyer has no idea what is being purchased.
Kirby said that table is so popular people line up for it when the fundraiser opens.
New this year was a silent auction, and all the donated items appeared to have several bids on them.
As well, the volunteer association has a Christmas draw every year that starts on Nov. 1, with tickets still available and the prizes on display in the Opportunity Shop in the hospital.
Finally, the Volunteer Association shows once again this year why it has been able to raise so much money over the years for Groves Hospital.
At its annual meeting on Nov. 14, it presented the hospital with a cheque for $82,000 for a new hospital bed and for lights for the operating room.
“That’s our first donation this year,” Kirby said.
“Since 2000 to Nov. 15, we’ve donated $1,909,277 to the hospital.
