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The 1990's

The Little Exchange pledged $130,000.00, to a Respiratory Therapy Treatment Center in May, 1990. Antiques again became a focus at The Little Exchange and the Board set aside a fund for buying them; Irish crystal and Herend Pottery were carried in the Shop and gift certificates were created; buying trips were increased to 4-days at markets in Atlanta and Chicago and the very first copy machine was purchased for the Shop! There were so many enthusiastic and qualified new volunteers that each shift had a minimum of 3 volunteers per shift.

In 1991, Molly Cammerer assumed full Chairmanship of the Board of Trustees. While Carolyn Folkerth relinquished her duties as Co-Chairman, thankfully she remained on the Board and in 1994 was appointed Treasurer.

A new "Guidelines for Brides" was created and the very personal service of delivering gifts continued...a trademark of The Little Exchange since its beginning! More redecorating in 1992, freshening up the Children's and Glamour Rooms...and the Little Ex. became a non-smoking facility. A $125,000.00 pledge was made for pediatric neurosurgical equipment to be used in the treatments of epilepsy and cerebral palsy.

Several local Women's Golf Associations began purchasing their gold prizes from The Little Exchange. The Shop added Saturday business hours to the Monday, Wednesday, Friday summer schedule; a paid employee was hired to assist volunteers on Saturdays; the Shop began to carry a small line of gourmet food. The advertising budget was increased to $2,500.00 annually and by the decade's conclusion, the budget for advertising has been further increased to $5,000.00!

In 1993, Mrs. Hap Holloway (Louise), a volunteer of 25 years, retired as a Board Member and head of The Nearly New Shop, and Mrs. Eric G. Gibbs (Jerry), who had volunteered with great dedication at the Shop since 1969, assumed these positions. Remodeling took place that same year in The Nearly New Shop.

In 1994, Ruth Drury, whose mother, Mrs. George H. Haig, was a founding member of The Little Ex, retired from the Board. Her retirement was accepted with great regret. Ruthie had been Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer and a devoted volunteer. Her guidance and wisdom had spanned many years and continues today to influence the direction of the Little Exchange. She was made a lifetime Honorary Board Member. The Little Ex had a technological explosion in 1995: a fax machine and a computer were added...very progressive!

Winnie Lysell, after 31 years of loyal service to The Little Exchange, retired in 1995. There was a lovely reception for her and the "Glamour Room" at the Shop was renamed "Winnie's Room" in her honor. In that same year, $150,000.00 was pledged over a four-year period for the Patient Resource Center.

1998 marked a milestone when total donations over a 38-year period from The Little Exchange to Children's Medical Center surpassed $1,000,000.00!

In 1999, a new pledge of $150,000.00 was made toward the Comfort Care Program, a program serving terminally ill children and their families.

(c)2008 The Little Exchange