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Purple PassionAbbe SparksHundreds of years. That’s how long the 10 buyers for theAlcove Gift Shop have volunteered altogether at HighlandPark Hospital. The inventory they choose has generatedhundreds of thousands of dollars for hospital development,education, as well as operational and research programs .They’ve also turned the 55-year-old Alcove into one of the finest gift shops ofany kind in the area. This not-for-profit success underscores the integral rolevolunteerism and community service have long played in the Highland Parkcommunity and the dedication and compassion of Highland Park’s residents.Once referred to as the “pink ladies” because they wore the hospital’ssignature color, the Alcove’s volunteers are now garbed in purple, the colorof Evanston Northwestern Healthcare (ENH), which incorporated thehospital into its network in 2000. The change of color has not diminishedtheir passion for supporting the hospital’s work.Founded in 1951, the shop is operated by the hospital’s Auxiliary.Alcove co-chairs Marilyn Friedman of Northbrook and Alice Strauss ofHighland Park say it exemplifies volunteerism at its best.One of the best parts, if not the best part, of the Alcove Gift Shop is thelevel of service and commitment the volunteers who work there generate.Most of these volunteers have each been working at the Alcove fordecades. In addition to the buyers, there are the manager, assistant,secretaries and the volunteers from the Auxiliary who work in sales. “Outof friendship, people join the hospital auxiliary and come to work in the giftshop,” says Highland Park resident Gloria Levine, a 30-year volunteer forthe Alcove and the current buyer of apparel, cosmetics and men’s items.When Alcove volunteer Sue Becker’s two grandchildren were sevenyears old (now 13 and 14), they came to work with her. “The idea was thattheir nana was volunteering her time for the community, and we felt it wasimportant for them, too,” says Sue. “They were in charge of placing the pricestickers on all merchandise and helped stock our shelves.” Sue, a HighlandPark resident, has been at the Alcove for 16 years in various positions and iscurrently the co-buyer of baby items with Highwood resident Sue Larson.“When Sue’s grandchildren were a bit older, they ran up and down thestairs with merchandise so we wouldn’t have to,” says Marge Canmann, aHighland Park resident who was born at the hospital and whose husband, apediatrician, practiced there until his retirement in 1989. Marge is currentlythe co-buyer of giftware along with Gretchen Pagano of Deerfield.Such dedicated volunteers have made the Alcove Gift Shop special sinceits inception. Its long-standing commitment and service to the communityand the hospital was born out of the determination and persistence of a groupof dedicated Highland Park women and a generous $400 anonymous gift.Mrs. John Bigler of Highland Park, then President of the Hospital’sWomen’s Auxiliary, suggested to her board that they look into selling goodsFrom left: Alcove buyers Joan Adler, Marge Canmann, LoisSenesco and Gloria Levine having fun with the merchandise atthe Alcove Gift Shop.at the hospital from a cart they could push from room to room. Until 1951,the Auxiliary sold its goods at two locations in town. Second-hand wareswere sold at its Thrift Shop on the corner of Green Bay Road and CentralAvenue. Their homemade crafts and other gift items, including jewelry andlingerie, were sold at its annual Christmas Bazaar held some years at theHighland Park Country Club, some years at the American Legion Buildingon 1957 Sheridan Road.Mrs. Bigler appointed Mrs. Lawrence F. McClure, also of Highland Park,to head a committee to investigate acquiring a cart. The cart arrived laterthan expected, but the Auxiliary members persisted in the idea of selling atthe hospital and were literally given an alcove in the west side of its mainentrance to sell their table linens and handmade purses. It became knownas the Alcove Gift Service.“It was a little tiny alcove with shelves,” remembers Joan Adler, aHighland Park resident who has been volunteering her time for 35 years.Joan is the current co-buyer of accessories along with Beverly Shapiro, alsoof Highland Park. “I remember my mom and her friends making handmadebags in one of their houses,” she adds. She is referring to The CreativeWorkshop, started by another Highland Park resident, Alice Gutmann. “Theladies would work all year making hand-made purses, puppets and othercrafts to sell,” adds Joan.While the Creative Workshop and the Thrift Shop no longer exist, theAuxiliary’s Christmas Bazaar is still an annual fundraising event. Nowknown as the Alcove’s Holiday Boutique, it takes place in November, thisyear on the 2nd from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is run by volunteer and HighlandPark resident Andi Frishman, who has been with the Alcove for 20 years.“Each year,” she says, “our Holiday Boutique is held in the lobby of themain entrance of Highland Park Hospital. We showcase the Alcove’smerchandise and also present handmade wares from local and regionalPHOTOS: Patti Nahin36 / Holiday 2006
artisans.” Highland Park residents featured this year are Robin Robertsonand her hand-painted furniture and accessories, and Jill Goldman and herpersonalized stationery. Robin’s creations can also be found in Ravinia atRaintree Gifts on Roger Williams. Andi points out that “other Chicago areaartisans come from Northbrook, Grayslake and Mount Prospect.” Besideschairing the Holiday Boutique, Andi is the Alcove’s co-buyer of jewelry,along with Lois Senescu, another Highland Park resident.The Auxiliary also runs special fundraising sales at Mother’s Day, end ofsummer and at its annual Auxiliary luncheon in the fall.Hospital gift shops have evolved over the years from flower and balloonshops to full service retail gift shops, and the Alcove Gift Shop at HighlandPark Hospital is no exception. Today, it offers all kinds of merchandise, fromhigh-end designer purses from notable designers Adrienne Vittadini andMary Frances, to trendy and classic clothing, to lingerie such as HankyPanky, to jewelry, baby gifts, toys, stationery, games and men’s items. And,yes, it still offers fresh flowers. Sound fabulous? So are the prices.“I discovered the Alcove years ago when I had to visit a sick friend andwanted to bring a little something to brighten her day,” said Bonnie Haber,a Highland Park resident and past Auxiliary president. “I planned on gettinga bouquet of flowers but was so delightfully surprised to have such a greatchoice of gifts. Of course, I found the perfect item, and it was not flowers.”Bonnie adds, “Now, I shop at the Alcove every chance I get. I love tosee what new items they have and buy items not only for me, but also formy kids and grandkids.”“Bonnie is one of our most loyal customers,” says Betty Wolff, buyer ofcards and candy. We have lots of customers like Bonnie, who dropped in topurchase a gift for a patient and discovered their new favorite store.”The Alcove is one of several Auxiliary programs that raise funds for thehospital. All of its proceeds go to the hospital, as much as $100,000 inprosperous years. You can contribute by purchasing an item or byvolunteering at the Alcove. “We are always in need of funds andShowing off their jewelry finds are (from left) Alcovebuyers Lois Senesco, Andi Frischman and Alcove VolunteerElaine Hirsch.volunteers,” says Alcove Manager Sheila Riebman. Sheila is assisted by FranShinsky. To volunteer, contact the Auxiliary at 847-859-8930.The Alcove is open to everyone: visitors, staff, patients and the public.Services include gift wrapping and delivery to a patient’s room. Cash and creditcards are accepted. Hours are Monday thru Friday 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m,Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Contact the Alcove at 847-432-8000, ext. 4170.Now, more than ever, the Alcove is convenient; valet parking is availableat the hospital’s main entrance. Once inside the building, it’s just a rightturn and short walk to one of the best shopping and service experiencesaround! “Stop in and take a look at our wonderful merchandise and meetsome of the outstanding volunteers who work there,” Sheila says.“Satisfaction is guaranteed.”Abbe Sparks is Vice President of the Auxiliary of HighlandPark Hospital and a media relations and cause-relatedmarketing consultant who resides in Highland Park. Sheserves as story editor for six00threefive magazine. You cancontact her at asparks01@comcast.net or at 847-266-1433.Women’s Health, StrokesBeneficiaries of Auxiliary LargessIn addition to ongoing programs and fundraisers, the Auxiliary establishesspecial pledge drives for specific healthcare needs. The organization hasraised millions of dollars to support programs at Highland Park Hospital. Thecaliber of the volunteer service and the diversity of the Auxiliary’s activitiesare vital to its continuing success.It recently began working on a four-year commitment to establish a“Primary Stroke Center” at Highland Park Hospital. This is exciting news forarea communities since there are only 10 stroke centers in Illinois and noneis in Lake County.This follows completion of a five-year, one-million dollar pledge drive tosupply funds for women’s healthcare services at the new ambulatory carecenter at ENH/Highland Park Hospital. You can contribute to theAuxiliary’s campaigns by purchasing an item or two at the Alcove Gift Shopor by sending your donation to: Auxiliary of Highland Park Hospital, 718Glenview Avenue, Highland Park, IL 60035.Revenues are derived from the Alcove Gift Shop, membership dues,special events and fundraisers, as well as the Auxiliary’s Mobile Meals andRemembrance Fund programs. Past events include the “virtual” fundraiser, adirect-mail plea that began in June of 2003 and has become a yearly event.Last year the “virtual” event raised over $100,000.Regular membership dues are $30 a year; contributing membership is$75. Both entitle members to receive the newsletter Auxilian and invitationsto all Auxiliary events. In addition to hosting its annual luncheon andfundraising events, the Auxiliary hosts two Breakfast Club meetings eachyear. These meetings are free and feature healthcare experts addressingcurrent topics of interest. To become a member or to contact the Auxiliary,call 847-859-8930 or email to hpaux@enh.org.
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PHOTO: Scott Martin, Emerson Photographic - Events.org

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