Thrift Shop Donates Record $660,000 To Nantucket Cottage Hospital

Wrapping up its 96th year in business on India Street, the Hospital Thrift Shop presented a check on Wednesday to Nantucket Cottage Hospital totaling $660,000, its largest ever annual donation to NCH.

The donation will go toward the Gouin Village capital campaign to build employee housing and a new physical therapy space on hospital-owned land off Vesper Lane in Gouin Village.

The Hospital Thrift Shop has donated more than $8 million to the hospital since its founding in 1929, when a group of volunteers came together to provide affordable clothes and household goods to the island community. Its first gift to the hospital that year was $603.

“The Thrift Shop continues to be a shining example of how community generosity transforms care on Nantucket,” said Amy Lee, president of Nantucket Cottage Hospital. “Every donation, every purchase, and every volunteer hour directly supports our mission by helping us expand vital spaces like Physical Therapy and strengthen housing for our dedicated staff.”

Last year, the Thrift Shop donated $625,000, enabling Nantucket Cottage Hospital to purchase a new bone density scanner, a mammography system, and ultrasound equipment. These new devices have brought significant benefits to patients, the hospital stated in its announcement of this year's gift, doubling the hospital’s capacity for scheduling mammograms and ultrasounds.

“We would like to thank the Nantucket community and beyond for your support in 2025, which allowed us to make the largest gift ever to the Nantucket Cottage Hospital,” said Mary Casey, Hospital Thrift Shop executive director.

“This year, we saw more donations than in the past, which kept our inventory well stocked with treasures for all of our shoppers,” Casey added. “Thank you for your generosity, which directly impacts our annual gift to the Nantucket Cottage Hospital."

The Hospital Thrift Shop is open from mid-May through mid-October. It relies on residents who donate gently used items, shoppers looking for deals, numerous volunteers who devote their time and energy, and a small staff that runs the organization's daily operations.

“Our commitment to Nantucket’s community, and the community’s commitment to the Shop, is evidenced by the generosity of our donors, by the diligence and dedication of our volunteers and staff, and by the enthusiasm of our shoppers,” said Pam Leinbach, president of the Thrift Shop Board of Directors. “As we approach our centennial, the Thrift Shop will continue its proud devotion to Nantucket’s residents and visitors by providing affordable goods and by donating the proceeds earned to NCH, to help care for both.”