The Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital thrift shop has a fancy new building, but there are still plenty of familiar faces behind the counter.
Bobbie Miller, for example, said she has volunteered at the store for “20 or 21 years,” and it’s become a big part of her routine. It’s not all work, either. Several shop volunteers go out to lunch together whenever any of them has a birthday.
“They’re kind of like my family,” said Miller, 83.
Miller is a lifelong San Benito County resident and she also volunteers to help educate children about the county’s agricultural heritage. Miller said she “married a cattleman,” and her son still lives next door and takes care of their herd.
Miller drives up from Paicines every Tuesday to work behind the shop’s cash register. Sometimes, that drive can be a challenge. In 1988, all the bridges between Hollister and southern San Benito County were washed out by floods, but Miller just drove out to Interstate 5 and came into town over Pacheco Pass.
“It took me two hours to get to work,” Miller said.
Miller’s devotion is reciprocated by Hazel’s customers, said Charlene Petersen, who manages the store on Tuesdays.
“They love her,” Petersen said.
Miller said she has stayed involved because “it’s a good cause.” The hospital benefits from the sales, but so do the customers who can find things they need for an affordable price, she said.
The thrift store sells old clothes, appliances and more, and Petersen has said it raises more than $100,000 per year for the hospital.
On Tuesday morning, the store was filled with a crowd of customers that would make some downtown businesses jealous.
“I’d say we were successful,” said Miller, laughing.
