Welcome to our Spring of 2021 newsletter.
We have gone through months of short days and wet afternoons during this winter, but the days are getting longer now as we pass through the spring equinox! Thoughts pointing to carefree herd-immunity bliss?
Ahhh ... it sounds hopeful, but as I write my entry for this Newsletter, BC's Ministry of Health has introduced sweeping new restrictions. Meant to act as a "circuit-breaker" in the fight against the third wave of COVID-19 and it's quick-spreading variant, we must keep vigilant to maintain strict safety and health protocols at the Ladysmith Health Care Auxiliary Thrift Store.
Your new Executive met February 24th and March 31st via Cisco WebEx, allowing us to continue - albeit through cyber channels - to work on the Auxiliary’s behalf. We are eagerly transitioning into our Executive Board roles since the AGM and acquainting ourselves with operational, budget, and COVID-related precautions.
While COVID has challenged some aspects of Thrift Store operations, we are heartened by our loyal community following, enthusiastic patronage, and generous donations to our receiving department!
The Managers, Lynn Smith, Deanna Noonan, and Mario Gauvin have tirelessly navigated pandemic protocols, arranged schedules and store hours, and are nimble in the face of constantly changing business circumstances. They have urged volunteers with compromised health and/or concerns over COVID-19's spread to stay safely at home, reassuring them that their wishes and circumstances are individual and respected.
Reduced Thrift Store hours and reduced days of donations-receiving were implemented to address lower volunteer turn-out; and able volunteers have taken on extra shifts to help meet the enthusiastic following of our clientele.
We thank each and every one of you for your commitment and dedication to the important work we do in the community.
Looking back - prior to the onset of February 2021, upon Bonnie Henry’s strong warnings about rising COVID numbers, the Executive voted to proactively close the Thrift Store - initially for the first 2 weeks, and then, for the rest of February, since BC Health Ministry announcements advised continued caution.
We were eager to open again at the beginning of March 2021. Thrift Store sales - as well as donations receiving - have been brisk, to say the least. In fact - nearly at pre-COVID levels!
The Managers installed additional plexi-glass barriers and tightened oversight of numbers of customers in-store. In collaboration with receiving volunteers they implemented ongoing changes to donations receiving procedures, and re-arranged the books and frames/pictures processing areas, offering better ease of movement and efficiency.
They installed additional floor markings to designate social distancing; they continue to enforce mandatory use of masks for all, have created social-distancing protocols for volunteer break-room usage, ensure plenty of sanitizing gel is available for ongoing volunteer and customer use, and enforce the use of viper-disinfectant spray for incoming received goods. This adherence to best safety practices have kept the Thrift Store operation thriving and safe during the pandemic.
I send heartfelt appreciation to Lynn, Deanna and Mario for staying steadfast and tireless during these challenging times.
As you read further - you'll find a sense of hope and positivity surrounding Ladysmith Healthcare Auxiliary's community engagement.
We hope you enjoy this first edition of our Spring 2021 Newsletter - compiled with thanks - by our new Public Relations Director, Steffen Toxopeus!
Ruth Goodbody, President
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