Destination Shopping at the Hospital

Ellen Shea is the manager of the gift shop at Milton Hospital. The teacher-turned-buyer-turned-manager has been volunteering her time at the gift shop for forty years. She spoke with columnist Julie Fay about making the shop a destination, working with “the ladies” and improving health care for the community.

Tell me what you do at the gift shop.
I started out as a paper buyer, purchasing cards and other paper goods to sell at the gift shop. Over the years I became the overall buyer and then the manager, and I still do both of those roles today. I manage a volunteer staff of about 25 fabulous, dedicated ladies, and am responsible for the overall operations of the shop.

What kinds of goods do you carry?
We have a complete line of Vera Bradley and Byers’ Choice carolers. We also sell Melissa and Doug toys and Camille Beckman lotions and creams, along with plush, jewelry, candy and cards, which are the biggest sellers. We stock eyeglass chains, tools like hammers and letter openers, magazines, stamps, flowers, and some whimsical, fun gifts, like million-dollar bills, which people often buy to put in Christmas stockings. The pashmina scarves are also very popular.

My goal in this whole project from the start was to make it an attractive, pleasant gift shop, not necessarily a “hospital” gift shop. I wanted to make it a destination for the neighbors, too. We have our regulars, some of whom come in just to chat. That’s because of our volunteers; I can buy everything I want for the shop, but if the volunteers aren’t there, with a willing ear and a pleasant personality, we’re not going to be successful.

Where does the money go?
Every cent we make, all our profits, are turned back to the hospital for patient use. That’s important to the ladies, to know that everything we make is for patient care. It’s not just a general contribution; we’re not interested in paying the phone or electric bill.

Some years, we’ve earmarked our donation for ladies’ causes, like mammography. Other years, we’ve contributed toward the cost of CAT scan and MRI machines. Sometimes the money is used for buying wheelchairs or smaller equipment like pulse oximeters. It’s all for the patients.

How does your work make the world a better place?
First of all, the money we donate helps the health care of Milton and the surrounding communities. We also contribute emotionally and socially to the community. The shop is a haven. People are in there killing time when they’re at the hospital for tests, for example. The hospital is a very friendly place; it’s a family atmosphere, and we are part of that. It helps provide an emotional release (for patients and visitors.)

You’ve been with the shop for 40 years. Why do you do it?
We all have to give back, and this is my way of doing that. It sort of grabbed me. Also, it’s been a family effort over the years. My husband and children all helped. I’d have them putting batteries in toys, or my husband would be fixing something for me.

It’s a challenge too, to see that what appeals to me is not necessarily going to appeal to everyone. You have to have an open mind. I do comparative shopping, meet sales reps, go to trade shows and check out other shops.

Why should people patronize the gift shop?
It’s pleasant, a great place to shop, and parking is easy. We have our semi-annual 20% off sale coming up December 4-10, too. It’s a real destination, not just a place to stop in because you were going to be there for an appointment.

The Milton Hospital Gift Shop is open every day; hours vary. Call 617-696-4600, x1799 for more information.