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The weeks before Christmas are busy for everyone, but no one is busier than those volunteers who spend hours and hours making sure that those who are less fortunate are not forgotten.

Some of those who volunteer are not as recognized as others.

Jennie Floyd is one of those. She donates time at D.W. McMillan Hospital in the gift shop. It’s easy to miss her in the little shop near the hospital’s front entrance, but every Tuesday she shows up to be available to visitors who would like to purchase a gift for a patient.

“I started volunteering at the gift shop because of my love for people and the fact that I am able to give advice to people on what is the perfect gift,” she said. “I had owned and worked at my own shop for 13 years, so I have plenty of experience.

“The gift shop has various gift ideas and something special for everyone,” she added. “People come to visit someone in the hospital and then discover they need to bring a gift to the patient.

The hospital has unique gifts that will make any patient feel better. We have baby items for the new baby, ladies clothing, jewelry, men’s items, balloons and plenty of unique things you won’t find anywhere else. We don’t have fresh flowers, but I wish we did. The best thing is that the prices are very reasonable.”

Floyd was born and raised in Evergreen. She attended and graduated from Evergreen High School. After high school she got a job working at Knud Nielsen in Evergreen, which is the company that specializes in the process of dried flowers. After working there for 21 years, she retired.

“I had a lifelong dream of owning my own business and when I got the opportunity, I opened my own place called ‘Jennie’s Boutiques’ and later I opened ‘K & J Tuxedo’s’ and was in business for 13 years.”

Floyd said she enjoyed making and selling flower arrangements, as well as providing them for weddings and different events. Jennie has been married twice, first in 1979 to Paul D. Hall who passed away in 1997, and to Kenneth Floyd in 2001. She had three children, but one has since passed away.  She also has two grandchildren

If you have never visited the gift shop in the hospital, I would encourage you to do so and maybe you could go by on a Tuesday and meet this sweet lady, Jennie Floyd. She is a delight.