Boothbay in December is a place filled with random acts of kindness. Neighbors look in on neighbors and community giving abounds.  At our St. Andrews Auxiliary Thrift Shop, customers are greeted by friendly volunteers, seasonal music and shopping bargains galore! We have stocking stuffers, baby gear for visiting relatives and a huge selection of winter attire ready for customers of all ages.

The highlight of St. Andrews Auxiliary’s December festivities begins much earlier in the fall as our volunteer elves - crafters and Auxiliary Sewing Group members begin creating holiday projects for patients.

Leading the third year of the ‘Christmas Mini-tree’ project was project creator, Paula Endicott with assistance from Melanie Groneng, Linda Redman, Lisa Hannah, Irene Gerny, Judy Boyes and numerous other volunteers. Using small pieces of jewelry and mini ornaments, most of the 22 lighted trees went to Gregory Wing residents at St. Andrews Village with six trees to homebound veterans and four to Auxiliary members or spouses.

Another project off to an early creative start was 34 quilted hoop window ornaments for Safe Haven and Gregory Wing residents made by the Auxiliary Sewing Group. In addition to the handicrafts, St. Andrews Auxiliary donated $1,500 to fund individualized gifts for patients to receive at their holiday party complete with a visit from Santa. Auxiliary members, many of whom are also LincolnHealth volunteers, will attend that day to assist with festivities led by LincolnHealth Activities Director Jerie Phinney.

By mid-October, the Sewing Group received a special request for comfort items from the LincolnHealth Infusion Center at Miles Hospital.  Melissa Brown, Nurse Manager of Oncology & Infusion Services was looking for lap-sized quilts for patient warmth and small cushions to buffer the infusion port and strap. To date Sewing Group members Ann Hedgecock, Karen Freeman, Carol Atwood Lyon, Lee Corbin, Elaine Gabrielli and Laura Zajdel have donated, created or repurposed 20 small quilts and 25 cushions for Infusion Center patients. Many of the quilts were created from Thrift Shop supplies and all convey cheer and positivity through the bright fabric colors  with a pocket designed for personal messages of encouragement.

We are all volunteer at St. Andrews Auxiliary. Many of us volunteer at our St. Andrews Auxiliary Thrift Shop while other members also become LincolnHealth volunteers who assist at reception areas of medical facilities or lead music/patient activities with Gregory Wing residents.

Our “projects to patients” activities have attracted new members who enjoy volunteering in small crafting/sewing project groups. So, whether you are a project organizer like Paula, an artist-in residence like Ann or a master of patient communication like Karen or just someone with general skills who’d like to participate for a worthy cause of service to the medical community – there are many ways to volunteer in our Auxiliary and in our shop. Stop in at our Volunteer Corner at the shop for more information or talk with our new president Gloria Wakefield or Volunteer Chair Irene Gerny. 

Tis the season! 

‘Gifts of Love come straight from the heart 

Joys of the season we want to impart …

Just remember while we are apart . . .

Joyful times, merry songs . .  .

Caring thoughts to you.’* 

* (Song is part of music activities let by volunteers at the Gregory Wing.)