THE GIFT SHOP is selling out of items only three months after reopening

The only Connecticut hospital-based gift shops still run by volunteers

PUTNAM, CONN. – On Tuesday, February 17 the Woman’s Board of Day Kimball Hospital quietly opened its newly renovated and restocked gift shop located at Day Kimball Hospital. Gleaming with a fresh coat of paint, new hardwood floors, decorative shelving and glass jewelry display cases, the updated look and open floor plan is sparkling with an all-new collection of specialty gift items. Three months later they are already regularly restocking shelves with popular items and circulating in new items almost weekly.

Denise Baum, co-manager of The Gift Shop

“We have a great time shopping for the store,” said Denise Baum, co-manager of The Gift Shop and a Woman’s Board member for 24 years. She and co-manager Kim Lecuyer make the selections that fill the shelves of the renovated space on the main floor of the hospital, just steps away from the Visitors Entrance and the Hospitality Café. 

From jewelry to home goods, electronics to children’s items, free gift wrapping is available with a selection of cards to choose from to complete the package.  Lecuyer, a Woman’s Board member since 2004, added, “We’re hoping community members will stop in for a visit, and not only support a good cause, but also find some special gift items. Why not do some shopping over lunch and grab a soup and sandwich at the Hospitality Café while you’re here? You’ll likely run into a friend who works or volunteers here.”

The Gift Shop is the only hospital-based gift shop in Connecticut that is still completely managed by volunteers. The Woman’s Board of Day Kimball Hospital operates the retail location with all proceeds going back to Day Kimball. The Woman’s Board votes on a capital item pledge to support the organization and then works to raise the monies through proceeds from The Gift Shop sales and many fundraising efforts throughout the year. Currently, the Woman’s Board is raising monies towards their pledge of $71,000 towards the purchase of state-of-the-art medical equipment for the laboratory services. Previously, monies were raised to support the purchase of new mammography equipment.

A vote was cast with Woman’s Board members to agree to spend board funds on the construction project. The improvements to the space not only provide a better customer experience, but it is expected to increase the store’s fundraising capacity. Prior to closing, a special clearance sale broke the record for revenue generated in one week and easily funded the cost to restock the shelves for the re-opening.

“They’ve only been open a few hours and I’m already buying stuff,” said Lucy Wanich, Case Manager at Day Kimball Hospital, who was shopping on the day of the opening. Baum reported they continually sell out of select items due to their popularity, but they are learning customer preferences and restocking accordingly.

The Gift Shop is open 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is located on the main floor of the Hospital at 320 Pomfret Street, Putnam. Call (860) 928-6541 ext 2310 for more information.
The Woman’s Board of Day Kimball Hospital is a 300 volunteer member association which celebrated its 120th anniversary September 2014. Since its beginnings it has contributed more than $1.5 million to Day Kimball Healthcare to support capital improvements and delivery of health care services to the Northeast Connecticut community. 

For more information on how to become a member, visit daykimball.org/womansboard