AMERICUS — Just off the main lobby of the Phoebe Sumter Medical Center is the Gift Shop. There one can find not only friendly members of the Auxiliary, Pink Ladies and Red Jackets, but an array of beautiful gifts.

On this morning, the shop has three Pink Ladies on duty: Kathleen Hall and Earlene Wiseman, both from Ellaville, and Debra Donnelly from Americus.

Personnel changes every four hours. There are 20 volunteers scheduled for every week to man the gift shop, according to Hall.

Just browsing through is an enjoyable experience. Among the many lines featured is Indiacraft, which Hall calls “a big seller.”

There’s an assortment of Christmas items: aprons, scarves, afghans, mulling spices and bake mixes.

There are also some fall and Thanksgiving items on sale.

“We try to cover all the seasons,” Hall says.

An entire section of collegiate items for Auburn University, University of Georgia and University of Alabama and University of Florida is on display.

“We do real well with it,” Hall says, indicating cups, mugs and other items bearing the logo of the institution of choice.

She points out new items, a collegiate Santa and a calendar.

Lois Theiss of Ellaville has artwork for sale in the shop and Connie Blanchard of Americus, who makes beautiful and eclectic jewelry pieces, also has her creations for sale here.

Hall has just returned from market and attended a jewelry show. She’s ordered all kinds of gorgeous things perfect for Christmas gifts: real stone bracelets, earrings, moderately priced rings.

The shop carries a big collection of newborn clothes and “lots and lots” of stuffed animals and other toys.

“One of the favorites is Lamb Chop,” Hall says, holding a soft stuffed lamb made popular in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s by puppeteer Shari Lewis. Lamb Chop, much like Santa, is simply timeless.

“We keep these on order,” she says, holding a toy teddy bear that sings “Happy Birthday.”

There’s another popular bear dressed in military garb for men that plays a country tune. Another stuffed frog plays a jazzy “get feeling better” song.

There’s a plethora of Christmas ornaments, from collegiate teams to ball players to ornaments for doctors and nurses and for baby’s first Christmas.  

“We try to carry a variety,” Hall says, pointing out that the 12 Days of Christmas ornaments are also available.

There are also candies and snacks.

“Huskers” popcorn is made by a woman from Cobb and Hall says they can barely keep it in stock due to its popularity.

“I bought 24 of these one afternoon and they all sold,” she says.

The product moves so quickly she has to order in larger quantities.

A rack of Christmas earrings of prominent on the counter.

The shop also offers gift wrapping and lots of balloons.

“We really do a lot for oncology,” Hall says. “They call on us and we don’t mind helping.”

The auxiliary recently gave  oncology, at cost, a large number of lotions and creams for breast cancer patients.

The auxiliary will host the Southeastern Conference in March which will bring in 75 to 100 people to Americus.

The gift shop is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and from 1-5 p.m. Saturdays. It’s closed on Sunday, but Hall says they’re considering being open at least one Sunday prior to Christmas to accommodate working people.

And while business is good, all three volunteers agree that there’s room for more.

“I would still like to see (business) build up to the level it was at the old hospital,” Hall says.

The gift shop at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center hosts an open house from 4-9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 29. Hall says the shop has some new inventory of bracelets and earrings in stock. She invites the public to stop by, enjoy refreshments and do some Christmas shopping.

It can’t be long until this glittering jewel of a shop with its large inventory and friendly staff is known far and wide. It’s worth the trip even if you have no other business in the hospital.