Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital’s Gifts from the Heart Gift Shop has donated $275,000 to the Phoebe Foundation this year, continuing a tradition of community support that spans nearly 40 years. The gift shop, which opened in 1987, operates as part of the hospital’s volunteer network and is managed by Ginger Jenkins with assistance from Levator Coleman, Esther Anderson, and a team of volunteers.
The shop has played a significant role in encouraging staff engagement through payroll deduction options for employees. According to Parker Douglas, Director of the Phoebe Foundation, “Our volunteers are truly the heart and soul of Phoebe Putney’s mission. Phoebe was founded by a group of women who volunteered their time to build a hospital for their community. That same spirit continues today in the gift shop. Every sale, every shift, and every smile from our staff and volunteers reflect the mission to make every life we touch better.”
All profits from the shop go into the Volunteer Services Fund at the Phoebe Foundation. This fund supports various initiatives within the health system, such as providing a GEM electric car shuttle for patient transportation on campus and launching a Family Care Cart stocked with snacks for families waiting at the hospital.
Jenkins highlighted the impact of these efforts: “Each year, the profits the gift shop makes go right back into the hospital. Our volunteers and staff work hard to make sure the shop is a welcoming space for everyone, but it’s even more rewarding to know that the money we raise supports such meaningful projects. Every purchase, no matter how small, helps make a difference.”
The reach of Volunteer Services also extends beyond hospital grounds. Each year, $50,000 is allocated to help build wheelchair ramps for older adults in Southwest Georgia through partnerships with organizations like the Council on Aging. These ramps are constructed by RSVP Ramp Builders—a group comprised of retired senior volunteers.
This year’s funds will also contribute toward Phoebe’s new Trauma and Critical Care Tower campaign. In recognition of volunteer contributions, plans call for naming the main lobby in the tower’s emergency waiting area after Phoebe’s volunteers.
Douglas stated: “Naming the emergency waiting lobby for our volunteers is a meaningful way to honor what they represent. They show up for our patients and families during their most vulnerable moments. They are the heartbeat of compassion at Phoebe, and their impact extends to every corner of this hospital.”
Juli Bruner, Volunteer Services Coordinator at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital added: “The Phoebe Gift Shop represents what community looks like in action. Our volunteers aren’t just helpers; they’re partners in care. Whether it’s assisting a customer, building a ramp, or funding the next major project, their generosity continues to strengthen the connection between Phoebe and the people we serve.”
After almost four decades since its founding, Gifts from the Heart remains committed to supporting both patients inside Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital and broader needs throughout Southwest Georgia.
