Closing the non-profit thrift store and gift shop due to the pandemic wasn't easy.
The University Hospital of Northern BC Auxiliary was unable to continue to raise funds that purchased medical equipment and supported student bursaries at the College of New Caledonia and the University of Northern BC when safety protocols were set in place.
The gift shop located in the hospital lobby continues to be closed as access is restricted at the hospital due to the ongoing threat of the coronavirus.
There was a time in the summer when COVID-19 numbers were low enough that the downtown thrift shop opened its doors temporarily as restrictions lifted but soon they made the decision to shut down again.
"Most of our volunteers are in their late 60s, 70s and 80s and it just didn't seem right for us to be welcoming people into the thrift shop," Lindy Steele, auxiliary board president, said.
The auxiliary board decided something was better than nothing and since December the Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop became a virtual auction presence instead.
Sue Lorrie, hospital auxiliary volunteer, took on the challenge of how to do it, reached out to the Prince George Hospice Society, which has a well-established online auction, got some tips from the organizer and she started the social media group.
Bid on items showcased on the Facebook page each week then pick up the item for cash outside of the Auxiliary's Thrift Shop located at 1523 Third Avenue. It's that easy.
So far the page has more than 700 members and raised more than $1,700.
Massive donations were offered in the summer when the thrift store had reopened temporarily so there are plenty of items to choose from and it will take a while before there's another call out for donations, Steele said.
There is a chance the thrift shop will reopen soon if restrictions are eased but right now no decisions have been made, she added.
"We're still supporting the hospital and the funds raised will still go to medical equipment and bursaries and scholarships for students who are entering the medical program at CNC or UNBC," Steele said.
The Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop is completely run by volunteers so all proceeds go back into the community.
Check out the online auction at The Thrift Shop Online Auction (Prince George).
