Grass Valley, Calif. December 13, 2016 – Friday, December 9th marked the 25th anniversary of Hospice of the Foothills’ first Gift and Thrift store in Nevada City. The day was highlighted by a visit from Marian Fitzgerald, who has volunteered at the store for over 25 years. Marian was part of the volunteer crew that helped prepare the thrift store for opening in 1991, and has been there ever since. At 85 years young, Marian quipped “There’s something to that ‘staying busy’ thing.” Marian can be found volunteering at the Grass Valley store on Wednesdays mornings and the Nevada City store on Saturday mornings. “I just love it,” said Marian about the work and the people she has worked with over the years. Her family enjoys the many wonderful treasures and bargains she discovers on the shelves that find their way home with her.
Since 1991, Hospice of the Foothills has expanded to three stores, with the other two stores located in Penn Valley, and Grass Valley. The Hospice Gift & Thrift stores, largely staffed by community volunteers, serve a vital role in providing supplemental funding for Hospice of the Foothills. “We’re fortunate Dennis Fournier (HOF Executive Director in 1991) had the vision and foresight to establish a valuable community resource with such a laudable purpose,” said HOF Executive Director, Carolynn Peterson. Donations of quality goods by the community, and the subsequent revenues generated through the stores, help bridge the gap between insurance reimbursements and the actual cost of high quality hospice care.