Impacting patient care at St. Luke’s Meet the volunteers behind the hospital gift shop’s biggest fundraiser

By Kelsey Roseth

Whenan individual volunteers, there’s always a reason –one close to their heart. Perhaps they’re seeking more social interaction, or an opportunity to give back. When it comes to those who dedicate time to support St. Luke’s Gift Shop, the reasons are as diverse as the group itself.

Volunteers: The Gift Shop’s Backbone

“Each [volunteer] is like a book, and each one has a different story,” said Polly Vallie, the gift shop manager and its only paid employee. Each week, she manages a rotating set of 20 people. Some are the healthcare system’s former employees, while others are teachers or stay-at-home parents. Many are between

70 and 90 years old.

One of the volunteers is Duluth’s Sharon Buchanan, who retired in 2007 and signed on to build what she calls “her second family.” Buchanan said, “St. Luke’s is such a friendly place and all the volunteers in the gift shop are a joy to work with.”

Hosting the Holiday Sale & Raffle

These engaged community members are responsible for much of St. Luke’s Volunteer Service Guild Holiday Sale & Raffle. Each year, the event raises money for patient care programs and medical equipment, typically bringing in

Continued on page 26 between $10,000 and $12,000.

The annual sale started about 25 years ago.

“The first one I did, we just had three or four tables in the old gift shop,” said Vallie.

Today, it’s the gift shop’s biggest fundraiser. Preparation starts 11 months in advance, with Vallie visiting wholesale markets and selecting items to sell. For this year’s sale, she purchased a lot of jewelry, LED pictures, novelty watches, scarves and much more.

Volunteer Anita Goellner, from Duluth, said she pitches in during the sale to interact with its customers.

“It’s fun to see all the new merchandise that we have at the Holiday Celebration and to be a part of it,” she said.

Another volunteer, Duluth resident Pat Bee, has helped out for 15 years.

“I always look forward to the Holiday Celebration. Polly Vallie is great to work with, and has the patience of Job,” she said.

Weeks in advance, volunteers coordinate, clean and set up –while others unpack merchandise and mark each with a price. Then, they sprawl out these items on 12 banquet tables and into the Amazing Grace Bakery and Cafe.

“These [volunteers] do so much work, all ahead of time. They put in lots of extra hours,” said Vallie. D

If you go:

Thursday, Nov. 7, and Friday, Nov. 8, 2019

7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

St. Luke’s Hospital

915 E 1st St, Duluth, MN 55805 Gift Shop on 2nd floor, near the skywalk