The dragonfly is often seen as a symbol of change, rebirth, hope, and enlightenment, and when they alight in our lives or cross paths with us, these themes truly come to life. This is what happened during a special experience at the Moncton Elmwood Thrift Store, when members of the Horizon Health Network at the Moncton Hospital, located in Moncton, New Brunswick visited the store in search of donated bamboo dragonflies.
Paula Nolan-Jewell, an employee in the Recreation Therapy Department at the hospital, visited our store in advance and spotted the box of dragonflies. She and her team were inspired to return to the store and purchase them in bulk, hoping that their patients could paint the dragonflies as part of an uplifting activity for Recreational Therapy.
Before they began their search, staff from the Horizon Health Network approached our Store Manager Murray for assistance. Murray helped them initiate the search while being mindful of their budget. Once the search began for these beautiful dragonfly donations, other Guests joined in on the fun and it became a type of community treasure hunt in the store.
“Murray, an absolute angel of a manager at the local Salvation Army, is the living embodiment of their ‘…to share hope, wherever there is hardship…’ philosophy!” said Paula, who was thrilled to have found the dragonflies in bulk. To make the experience even more special, another Guest from the store paid for the total cost of the dragonflies on behalf of the Horizon Health Network.
Reflecting on the experience, Murray added, “The generosity of the Guests was incredible. Usually, the items we sell have an impact on the person purchasing them, but this time, the impact was felt across an entire hospital. To see our community come together and spread kindness, hope, and healing is truly inspiring. That’s what we aim for—being more than just a store. We want to spread hope and joy, and it’s amazing to see others carry that forward.”
Paula also said, “We had such an abundance of beautiful dragons, we bundled them up and delivered them around the hospital to areas we thought could use a little extra delight! Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Family Medicine, The Ronald MacDonald House, Phlebotomy, the Friends of Moncton Hospital, Wellness Hub…We have already spotted a few flying on fingers around the lobby!”
It’s wonderful to see how the dragonflies have made a meaningful impact on the Horizon Health Network community. We’re truly amazed when our communities and stores come together to achieve a shared goal. A heartfelt thank you goes to Store Manager Murray and our friends at Horizon Health Network for making a difference to their local community!
