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THE TEAL SAGUARO
TMC Auxiliary’s new resale boutique
“The rule of thumb is if you haven’t used it for a year, get rid of it,” said TMC Volunteer Services coordinator Christel Pettengill. That pile of unwanted things that are still in fashion and still in pretty good shape can find a new home at The Teal Saguaro, the TMC Auxiliary’s resale boutique. Bargain shoppers who love to stumble upon little treasures are invited to check out the welcoming new emporium, located in the medical park south of TMC at 5395 E. Erickson. There are fabulous deals on secondhand merchandise including clothing and household items, plus a special children’s section that features clothing, toys, books and movies. The boutique provides one response to a longstanding need: How do we care for families who are pulled from their everyday lives during a health crisis?
“Many families leave their home with just the clothing on their back, and are not prepared to stay at the hospital for an extended period of time,” explained Hope Thomas, director, Volunteer Services and Community Programs. “Patients who came in through the Emergency Department and needed to have their clothes cut off would end up leaving the hospital in a gown or old scrubs. We want to do better for these patients and their families. That’s where The Teal Saguaro comes in.” TMC staff members can offer vouchers good at The Teal Saguaro that allow patients and their families to shop for gently used clothing at no cost. As Pettengill noted, “It’s part of our commitment to providing community care.” The boutique also serves as an easy-access resource center for families in need of free booster seats, bike helmets, smoke alarms, and other home safety products.
Whether you are donating or shopping at The Teal Saguaro, it is something you can truly feel good about. Not only does it help the community and TMC’s patients, but donors can get a tax write-off. Karen Simonic is one of about a dozen women on the all-volunteer staff. “People should help support The Teal Saguaro because all of the proceeds go right back to TMC, and TMC is a wonderful hospital.” “One of the many neat things about The Teal Saguaro is that literally everything is donated. And every bit of it helps our patients,” said Thomas. Sales will increase the annual Auxiliary gift to the Foundation by more than $50,000 each year.
For volunteer Shayne Kee, the experience is about more than just organizing, pricing and cleaning the donated items. “I really look forward to spending time with a great group of women,” she said. “It’s social, it’s fun and it serves a great purpose.” Above photo, left to right: Ruth Hannley, Nancy Lynn, Karen Simonic, Shayne Kee