A revamp of the gift shop at the hospital was celebrated with a reception on June 6 that provided both a new name and a new operator. Erie Shores Health Foundation has taken over the day-to-day operations, while the shop has taken on the name Gerry Gulliver’s Gifts.
The Erie Shores HealthCare Auxiliary will continue to have a vital hand in the shop that has a slick new look put together through the interior design of Jessica Wharram and a donation from Dimanti Countertops.
Penny Bellhouse, Executive Director of Erie Shores Health Foundation, said, “Our hope is that this new gift shop will bring a comforting space to take a breath inside of the hospital and brighten the day of others. We invite all to come see the new space and the curated selection that includes special local products from Wharram’s Jewellery, Harbour Jewels, By Winnie, Daryl’s Bars, books from Vesna M. Bailey and florals from The Flower Shop at Thiessen’s.”
As for the new name, a $500,000 donation from Rick Gulliver in his late mother’s memory allows the Gulliver family to honour their late mother — and cherished community member — Gerry Gulliver.
Rene Gulliver, another of Gerry’s sons, spoke fondly of his mom at the unveiling of the new gift shop name. “Gifts were part of mom’s modus operandi when she wanted to cheer people up,” said Gulliver. “We hope a little spirit of Gerry goes along with every gift.”
Profits from the gift shop will continue to be used for capital items in the hospital with much of it going to the necessary expansion and relocation of the oncology unit. The hours of the gift shop will be extended, being open from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturdays.
The Gulliver family came out to support the renaming of the hospital gift shop in honour of a beloved Gerry Gulliver. The family was joined by Penny Bellhouse of ESHF on the far left, and Erie Shores HealthCare CEO Kristin Kennedy, to her right, inside the renovated gift space.
SUN photo by Paul Forman
