The Four Seasons Hospice Home Stores take extra care to ensure that every donation with an electrical and/or mechanical function performs properly and safely before it is offered for sale. Each mechanical item, stereo system, vintage radio, TV, vacuum, clock, and small appliance is inspected and operated to ensure that it performs as intended and is suitable for use in a customer’s home.

The Volunteers Behind Electronics

Behind every single electronic item in our Hospice Home Stores is a team of specialized volunteers who also make sure it is clean before it gets placed on the store shelves. The Electronics Repair Team includes John Cudd, Tim McVey, Jay Wright, Lamar Langford, Bill Halliburton, Rex Barnwell, and Bill Hudson. John Cudd explains that “we could not do this without a cadre of caring volunteers who have the training and industry expertise that brings to bear the skill set that is needed.” 

The Electronics Repair Team also investigates if a product has been recalled and ensures they evaluate any recalled products so they feel confident about selling the items at the Home Stores.  

The Team loves seeing the latest items that come off the Home Store trucks: “It is our endless curiosity and the opportunity to gain experience on how to fix specific items that keep us motivated daily.” A few members of the team focus on specific types of electronics but mostly they all work together to “check all items with plugs, batteries, and mechanical components to ensure they are in working condition.”

Special Projects

One of the team’s most memorable recent projects was a vintage French “Morbier” Tall Case Clock circa 1850’s. These clocks were made in the Franche-Comté region near the border with Switzerland. The mechanism in the clock is an 8-day, weight-driven movement with brass and cast parts. The cabinet is pine with inlay and the dial is hand-painted enamel. The team enjoyed researching the history of the clock and found some other fun facts about the 1850’s including the fact that Millard Filmore was the 13th President of the United States and that the first transatlantic telegraph cable was laid during that time. They wondered, if the clock could talk, what else would the Morbier Tall Case Clock tell them about life in the 1850’s? We will never know but we are thankful to a brilliant group of volunteers fascinated with history and electrical and technical repair who give their time and talent to ensure electrical items for sale are repaired and in working order. 

Our Team Cares

We recognize that all the items donated to the Four Seasons Hospice Home Stores have

stories to tell and connections with people, many of whom have family who received care from Four Seasons. At our Home Stores, staff and volunteers embrace and appreciate preserving that history for all of us. We are so grateful for the time and effort our volunteers and staff make to honor each item and the stories connected with them.