By Ann Gillis, photos by Bob Dunham and Ann Gillis
Have you ever wondered, where does the money go, or who benefits from the Corner Gift Shop at John Knox Village? Maybe you’ve asked yourself that question when you donated that once-treasured trinket or the apparel your dryer shrank. How much money do all those trinkets and apparel generate? Maybe you’ve never thought about it at all. Whether you have or not, I am going to walk you through all the wonderful things that the Medical Auxiliary has done over the years with the thousands of dollars YOUR donations have generated, and acknowledge the hundreds of volunteers who have served on the Medical Auxiliary Board and in the Gift Shop, The Stitchers who have made the beautiful shawls and lap robes for our friends and neighbors in Majestic Oaks and Oak View Suites, and the many folks who volunteer their time and talents to help make life just a little bit more enjoyable for the residents of Majestic Oaks and Oak View Suites.
The Medical Auxiliary was established in 1980. Yes, we have been around for 45 years! The Auxiliary Board meets quarterly for a business meeting, and also meets quarterly for a social lunch. Currently there are ten board members: President, Nancy Kinsley; Vice-President Judy Konecsny; Past-President, Pam Gregg; Secretary, Mary Ellen Humphreys; Treasurer, Cherie Gereau; Assistant-Treasurer, Ann Gillis; Gift Shop Manager, Betty Suber; Stitchers, Judy Valk; Technical Advisor, Bill Mahar; and Historian, Louise Caccamise. Our Historian has just finished writing the history of the Medical Auxiliary. I will leave a more in-depth look at our history for another time, except to say that I hope when you finish reading this article you will want to know more. I also think that when you finish reading this article you will be left with a warm, fuzzy feeling and want to DO more. Seeing is believing, so let’s begin.
Violet Lambert, Apparel; Linda Points, Barcodes and Merchandise Ticketing;
The Corner Gift Shop is the place where it all begins under the able direction of Manager, Betty Suber, and her impressive roster of twenty-five regularly scheduled volunteers and fifteen substitutes. Items are priced for sale and attractively displayed. The introduction of apparel last year significantly boosted sales, offering bargains galore.
How does the Auxiliary Board decide how the proceeds from the Gift Shop sales are allocated? Since the Auxiliary exists to support and enhance the lives of the residents of Majestic Oaks and Oak View Suites, the current Director of Operations, Mike Buxton, is invited to attend quarterly meetings. It is at these meetings that
Mr. Buxton presents a proposal for items that meet our funding criteria.
The proposals are in addition to the monthly allowance that has already been approved for each program. As time has passed, the Auxiliary continues its purpose to supplement the needs and also provide for more of the wants of our friends and neighbors who have moved on the continuum of care to Oak View Suites or Majestic Oaks. We focus here mainly on our most recent purchases or projects we have supported over the years.
Our most recent purchase has been a Digital Table. Also called ‘Magic Tables,’ these are becoming very popular in memory care units where they provide an easy method of brain stimulation. The Magic Table at Majestic Oaks Memory Unit can seat up to six and offers a wide range of games. Our photo shows there are no chips, dabbers, etc. needed to play BINGO. Playing on the Table also helps with range of motion and most importantly socialization. It also provides a fun way to visit with family and friends. Skype and FaceTiming also continue to be a popular way to maintain contact with relatives and friends.
Another recent purchase has been new patio furniture. The new furniture is not only a beautiful blue color but also is durable and comfortable. Plans are underway to replace more patio furniture.
watches as residents play BINGO on the Magic Table.
Each program receives a monthly allowance. How it is used is at the discretion of the program director. It helps with activities such as ice cream socials, special holiday and birthday parties, and the purchasing of game supplies and prizes, bingo and arts and crafts supplies to name just a few.
The Stitchers group has been making shawls and lap robes for umpteen years. Under the creative direction of Judy Valk, the group has also been meeting weekly for years. The location may have changed but the camaraderie and the dedication have remained constant. Many more items are also made at home and brought to the group. The Auxiliary provides the materials and every year about 200 shawls and lap robes are made and distributed to the residents of Majestic Oaks and Oak View Suites at one of the annual Christmas parties. Last year
Mr. and Mrs. Claus (Bill and Phyllis Bolger) came to town to help distribute the knitted items. They were a welcome sight along with Phyllis Dale and her Sunshine Singers singing the Christmas favorites.
You may still be wondering about how much those trinkets and apparel generate in sales at the gift shop. Total sales for 2024 were $31,610. The total spent for Oak View Suites and Majestic Oaks was $24,734.
The Medical Auxiliary Social Luncheon was revived in October 2024, after COVID. These luncheons were by invitation only to Auxiliary members. After hearing that other residents would be interested in learning more about the Auxiliary, we now have planned another luncheon that will be open to all interested residents. Watch the Village Weekly for sign-ups. Save the date: Tuesday, October 7, 2025, 11:30 a.m. in the multi-purpose room.
Our journey has come to an end for now. I hope you have stayed with me and just maybe you did get to feel a little warm and fuzzy. Not only for what has continued for 45 years but WHY it continued.
Yes, it’s neighbor helping neighbor. It’s the passing of the baton to the new neighbors who will continue our purpose. For this year
Nancy Kinsley has accepted the baton. It’s what John Knox Village is all about. It’s why we are here. We don’t forget our friends and neighbors who have moved along our continuum of care. It’s the new folks moving in who will keep it going for another 45+ years.