Mary Black Hospital Auxiliary shuts down after SRHS orders gift shop closed

Bob Montgomery, Spartanburg Herald-Journal
·2 min read

Just months shy of its 55th anniversary, the Mary Black Memorial Hospital Auxiliary has disbanded and closed its campus gift shop.

A handful of the auxiliary's remaining members said they were surprised and saddened to learn in early June that Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System would close the gift shop by July 30.

"Our auxiliary has been serving the Mary Black Hospital and our surrounding community since 1968," said Marie Clevenger, auxiliary member said. "However, with the last sale of the hospital to Spartanburg Regional's holdings, things have changed and our auxiliary was unable to continue its work."

The last members of the Mary Black Memorial Hospital Auxiliary before it recently disbanded are, from left, Marlene Donna, Carolyn McKee, Toni Macarewicz, Marie Clevenger and Nancy Voronin.
The last members of the Mary Black Memorial Hospital Auxiliary before it recently disbanded are, from left, Marlene Donna, Carolyn McKee, Toni Macarewicz, Marie Clevenger and Nancy Voronin.

On Dec. 31, 2018, Spartanburg Regional completed the purchase of Mary Black Health System, which included the 207-bed Mary Black hospital in Spartanburg. It was renamed Spartanburg Medical Center-Mary Black Campus. The purchase included the 125-bed facility in Gaffney and Mary Black's physician offices and outpatient services.

"Employees would come in to get a snack," recalled auxiliary member Nancy Voronin. "Everyone who came in (to the gift shop) said we're sorry to see you leave.'"

"I will miss having a relationship with the volunteers in the gift shop," said auxiliary member Toni Macarewicz. "It was a good way (for volunteers) to get out and socialize."

The Spartanburg Medical Center-Mary Black Campus.
The Spartanburg Medical Center-Mary Black Campus.

In a statement to the Herald-Journal, SRHS explained the reason for the gift shop closure.

"As Spartanburg Regional’s philanthropic efforts have evolved, operational decisions were made to optimize and better align those services within the healthcare system. Spartanburg Regional will utilize the space in a way that mirrors operations at the Spartanburg Medical Center campus on Church Street.

"Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System appreciates the efforts of the many volunteers who operated the Mary Black Memorial Hospital Auxiliary gift shop within a space provided to them at Spartanburg Medical Center-Mary Black Campus."

Clevenger said the remaining auxiliary members decided to go out with a bang by emptying its accounts and donating $245,000 to various local nonprofits.

One of the final donations disbursed by the recently disbanded Mary Black Memorial Hospital Auxiliary was to the Spartanburg Soup Kitchen Executive Director Lou Sartor, center. Pictured with her are auxiliary members Toni Macarewicz, left, and Marlene Donna, right.
One of the final donations disbursed by the recently disbanded Mary Black Memorial Hospital Auxiliary was to the Spartanburg Soup Kitchen Executive Director Lou Sartor, center. Pictured with her are auxiliary members Toni Macarewicz, left, and Marlene Donna, right.

Among the recipients were United Way of Piedmont, Total Ministries, Salvation Army, Children's Cancer Partners of the Carolinas, Spartanburg County Libraries, Second Harvest Food Bank, Spartanburg Soup Kitchen, Upstate Stand Down, Miracle Hill Ministries, Mobile Meals, Carol's Hope, St. Luke's Free Clinic and S.C. School for the Deaf and Blind.

Over the years, the auxiliary has also provided scholarships for local students and medical equipment for the hospital nursery.

To empty the gift shop, she said all items were priced at 75% off and sold.

"I think it is appropriate that the community knows, even if it is only the tip of the iceberg, how helpful the auxiliary has been to the hospital and the community," Clevenger said.

Bob Montgomery covers Spartanburg County politics and growth & development. Reach him via email at bob.montgomery@shj.com.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Mary Black Hospital Auxiliary folds after SRHS orders gift shop closed