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The 1960's

In 1958, Mrs. Mead was elected the first President of the Children's Hospital Society of Dayton. The goal of this group was to build a much-wished-for children's hospital. After convincing the public of the need for such a hospital, this society merged with the Barney Convalescent Hospital to form Barney's Children's Medical Center. Elsie Mead was elected the first Chairman of the Board of this organization. Thus began a new focus for The Little Exchange and a third purpose was added to The Little Exchange mission: to donate the proceeds of the Exchange to the Children's Medical Center. In 1961 and again in 1962, $2000.00 was donated to this cause.

In 1963, Mrs. Nelson Mead (Ruth) formed the first Woman's Board of the Barney Children's Medical Center. This same year, Ruth Mead wrote thanking The Little Exchange Foundation for their generous contribution of $5,000.00, "bringing them closer to the reality of a Children's Hospital for the Dayton area."

The Shop grew...brides were registered, lists were kept, and the advent of the bridal shelves for the gifts selected by individual began! Mrs. C.E. Drury (Ruthie), a talented knitter herself, designed patterns for socks and sweaters for the 25 "knitters" who kept The Little Ex filled with very special items: matching father/son tennis sweaters and adorable bonnets and sweaters for infants. Creative Board members sketched original designs for custom children's clothing. Birds and bugs and angels were popular motifs to adorn children's clothing; the clothes were personalized and monogrammed.

The reputation of the Shop grew as a unique place to shop. Cashmere sweaters were trimmed beautifully and became a specialty of the Shop. Mrs. James M. Cox, Sr., designed these sweaters; she worked "miracles with ribbons, embroideries and other trims."

There was china...and antiques from Europe purchased by Mrs. Mead on one of her trips abroad. There were Lowestoft cups and saucers, antique silver, serpentine chests and stunning antique Sheraton sideboards; exquisite handmade miniature scenes were created and placed under glass domes. In 1964, Winnie Lysell became the manager for The Little Ex. From the beginning Winnie had a long love of, and familiarity with the Shop. She had beautifully decorated cashmere sweaters and made charming children's clothing for The Little Exchange since its beginning days. Mrs. Russell Theurmer (Ellie) was the volunteer head of The Nearly New Shop at this point. In 1967, the first patients were admitted to the new Barney's Children's Medical Center. During the decade of the 60's, The Little Exchange donated $86,111.00, to this cause. Additionally, The Little Exchange made the first payment on a pledge of $17,000.00 toward a new elevator costing $48,000.00. This elevator is still in use today, fifty years hence!

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