When you stop by the Cloud 9 Gift Shop at Portneuf Medical Center (PMC), you might not think you’re making a difference in the lives of others, but every purchase you make funds special causes throughout the community. Eleven members of the PMC Auxiliary currently staff the gift shop, giving their time in four-hour shifts. The shop currently sells a variety of items, including:
- Cards
- Cosmetics
- Flowers
- Magazines
- Newborn baby items
- Purses
- Scarves
- Snacks
“Annually, we donate as much as $20,000 to benefit the community in meaningful ways,” says Karen Ruchti, PMC Auxiliary Past President. “In the past, we’ve supplied teddy bears to comfort children in the Emergency Department and purchased new décor and a dishwasher for the guest house, where out-of-town families stay while loved ones receive care at PMC.” Statewide and national causes the Auxiliary supports include the Idaho Food Bank, March of Dimes, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Knots of Love, and Aid For Friends. “Every bit helps,” Ruchti says. “Shopping at Cloud 9 is an easy way to give back. If PMC has impacted their lives, we also encourage community members to consider volunteering.” The gift shop is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Can’t stop by in person to pick something up for a loved one? Cloud 9 Gift Shop staff is happy to take orders over the phone at (208) 239-1156.
Committed to Higher Education
Money raised at the Cloud 9 Gift Shop goes toward annual Idaho State University scholarships of $2,500, awarded to as many as five undergraduate and graduate students, and Welcome to Pocatello Scholarships of $500 given to each of the seven new Family Medicine Residents who come to ISU each year.