A lot of shoppers at Christmas discovered two little gems; the Gift Shops. The customers love that they are, like the Thrift Shop, HST free and all the profits of sales are donated to hospitals, medical facilities, services and equipment that the residents of Ladysmith and District use. They were particularly excited by the new jewelry and gift lines.The lodge carries travel-size toiletries, lap afghans for wheelchairs while the health Centre shop features baby items.One gentleman in the lodge was able to shop for his wife for Christmas with the assistance of the lodge staff and store volunteers and gave her a surprise gift. He was so delighted.The patients at the lodge are often waiting for the shop to open. The staff is very supportive of the patients and will bring them down to the shop for a visit and a trip of the floor they live on. They have become their neighbours and friends.In addition the shops carry hand knits, quilted and crocheted items for babies, people in wheelchairs and confined to bed. These items are all donated by members and generous Ladysmith resident/non-members as well. They have a total of 10 people, including the manager volunteering at the shops. Additional volunteers members are always welcome. The Gift Shop in the Health Centre has just added its first morning shift from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays. With more volunteers we could increase our hours of operation. Both locations have three afternoon shifts and Health Centre has the new morning shift.They serve visitors to the health centre, day patients, emergency patients and staff, and at the Lodge on 4th we serve the staff, patients and their family and friends.The Gift Certificate Program is a great success. The residents of the lodge can keep it on file and make purchases against it for six months or more. They don’t have to carry cash.—Health Care Auxiliary