IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Peggy Morache

Marketing and Public Relations Chair

Margaretville Hospital Auxiliary

foundation@margaretvillehospital.org

www.hahv.org

(845) 254-3315

Margaretville Hospital Auxiliary Announces Changes in Operation of Thrift Shop

Margaretville, N.Y., – Feb. 2010 –   The Margaretville Hospital and Mountainside Residential Care Center Auxiliary has announced changes in the operation of their Thrift Shop. Effective immediately, the Shop is closed one day a week, New York State Sales Tax will be added to all purchases except clothing, and security cameras will be installed at both entrances to the store.

For the duration of the winter months, the Thrift Shop will be closed on Thursday. “Many of our volunteers go south for the winter,” said Connie Jeffers, Thrift Shop volunteer and spokesperson, “and the reduction in hours is necessary because of the shortage of help while they are away.”  The closing provides a day for the remaining volunteers to sort donations, restock inventory and complete the administrative tasks involved in operating the Shop. Mrs. Jeffers continued, “Many of our volunteers have been coming to the Shop on Sunday to complete restocking and general organization projects. We wanted to create time during the week to complete that work.”  The Thrift Shop is open between 10 a.m.  and 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and returns to a regular Monday through Saturday schedule on April 8th.

The Thrift Shop management also announced a change in the method for charging New York State Sales Tax on taxable purchases. Sue Adams, one of the Shop’s managers and former Auxiliary President explained, “This isn’t really a new policy, but a reinstatement of a policy that was in effect until 2001 when the decision was made to incorporate tax into the sale price rather than recording it separately at the registers.” The Thrift Shop auditor recommended returning to a clear and distinct separation of the taxed amount from the purchase price for better recordkeeping and tracking of the amounts due to New York State. While the shop is a not-for-profit corporation, it is required to pay New York State sales tax on all sales except clothing. Since 2001, the Shop has been absorbing the tax and paying it from the direct sales of merchandise. Under the new arrangement, the sales tax will be added and recorded in the register when payment is made by the customer. 

It was also announced that security cameras have been donated to the Thrift Shop and will be installed at the front and rear entrances. Although the Thrift Shop management has made numerous appeals to the public for cooperation, electronics, such as computers, monitors and televisions, and other trash continue to be dropped at the Shop after hours. In addition, mattresses and pillows are not accepted as these items need to be sterilized to be resold. The Thrift Shop must pay to have these types items hauled away. The expense is taken from the Shop’s profits which greatly reduces the dollar amount that the Auxiliary is able to give the hospital at the end of the year. The cameras will video anyone making drop at the Shop. If the materials left are unacceptable and must be hauled away, the Shop management will be able to identify the responsible person and contact them for appropriate action. Anyone who wants clarification of the items accepted by the Thrift Shop can call (845) 586-3737  or visit the web site at www.margaretvillehospital.org. Anyone interested in volunteering at the Thrift Shop may contact Kathie Herbst at (845) 586-3714 or Tami Conine at (845) 586-5059.

The Auxiliary Thrift Shop has been in existence for over 30 years and provides financial support for tangible items such as medical equipment for Margaretville Hospital and Mountainside Residential Care Center. This year, the Auxiliary fundraising helped the hospital purchase a new four-wheel drive ambulance and continues to fundraise for the new state-of-the-art blood chemistry analyzer.

About HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley®

HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley is the alignment of The Kingston Hospital, Benedictine Hospital, Margaretville Hospital, Mountainside Residential Care Center and Woodland Pond. The goal of HealthAlliance is to strengthen the quality of care, bring forward enhanced technology and provide compassionate care to serve the present and future healthcare needs in the Hudson Valley.

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