Hospital thrift store to close

A thrift store that has been a Parker fixture for 37 years is to close on May 31st. The La Paz Regional Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop on Kofa Avenue will close after a sale to clear its inventory.

“The volunteers of La Paz Regional Hospital Auxiliary have devoted countless hours of service to providing this community service,” the hospital stated on its Facebook page. “Countless hours of sorting, folding, hanging, and giving. From the first store to the location on Kofa Avenue, the volunteers have made this thrift store a place of giving.”

Linda Haydis, the manager, recounted her years working in the store.

“Working in the thrift store with the many volunteers over the years has been a privilege. The community really supported our efforts with incredible donations of clothes, bedding, kitchen items and so much more. Customers came from all over the county and California. We routinely sold our clothes for one dollar or less, and had many bag sales where bargains were even greater.”

Over 37 years the thrift store has generated over $2 million for operations at La Paz Regional Hospital, promoting careers in healthcare, buying medical equipment and awarding scholarships. In the best years, the donation was in excess of $100,000. Last year it was $40,000.

The Hospital Auxiliary will continue to raise funds, according to Pat Webb, its President.

“The Auxiliary will continue to provide support to the hospital and award scholarships,” she said. “We volunteer in various departments and staff our Gift Shop in the lobby.”

The hospital statement continued: “It is bittersweet for the volunteers who work these last few days. So many memories – the store has been a home away from home for its workers.”

The store will be selling all its shelving and tables, in addition to the clothing and household items. All inventory will be 50 percent off and the final day will be Friday, May 31st.