From 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Centra Southside Community Hospital hosted a book sale on Tuesday, Oct. 8 in the administrative building in the quad of the hospital.
The book sale was put on in conjunction with the company “Books are Fun.”
The book sale involved discounted books and gift sets. Guests were able to pay for their purchases by credit cards, debit cards, checks and cash.
The Southside Community Hospital Auxiliary was started in the 1920s and their mission is to help raise funds for the hospital, as reported on the Auxiliary webpage on the Southside Community Hospital website.
The Southside Community Hospital Auxiliary raises funds by hosting sales throughout the year, including book sales, jewelry sales, handbag sales and shoe sales.
Director of Marketing at Centra Southside Community Hospital Kerry Mossler said, “The book sales are very successful. We probably bring in nearly 400 people to this event.”
Mossler added, “There are a lot of different books to choose from. It’s a fun event. It’s a great event for employees; we look forward to the public coming, but most of the sales are to employees."
Mossler stated that all of the proceeds for the book sales go to hospital equipment, educational opportunities for staff and scholarships for nursing students.
“It’s basically like you are shopping for a cause,” Mossler said.
Concerning scholarships, Mossler said, “Each year we offer scholarships to about eight counties to seniors in high school. Last year, we were able to choose three scholarships.”
Mossler estimated that each scholarship was $1,500.
Applicants for nursing scholarships are judged based on grade point average, volunteer work at the hospital and if the applicant is interested in pursuing a career as a nurse.
“Healthcare workers are extremely busy and don’t typically have a lot of time to shop, so on their lunch break they run down to the book store. They will have an opportunity to shop in general, but it’s also a time for them to can stock up on their Christmas gifts and things like that,” Mossler said.
Future sales to expect from the Southside Community Hospital Auxiliary include a shoe sale on Nov. 13, which will include the shoe brands Danskos and Crocs. A handbag sale will also occur on Nov. 21.
For more information on upcoming sales, contact the Centra Southside Community Hospital Marketing/Public Relations line at (434) 315-2445. Centra Southside Hospital is located on 800 Oak Street, Farmville, Va 23901.
