By Bill Wertman, CEO, Big Bend Hospice
Hospice work is filled with sacred moments. Quiet conversations, final goodbyes, and the kind of presence that doesn’t ask for attention but leaves a lasting impact. But not all of that work happens at the bedside. Sometimes, it happens in a quiet storefront off Mahan Drive, where the shelves are stocked with donated treasures, every item has a story, and the people behind the counter offer more than just help… they offer a warm welcome.
That place is Oak Tree Treasures, a unique and meaningful part of the Big Bend Hospice story.
Oak Tree Treasures is our nonprofit resale shop in Tallahassee. Every item sold, every dollar earned, goes directly back to supporting the programs and services of Big Bend Hospice. But if you’ve ever spent time there, you know it’s more than just a fundraiser. It’s a place of connection, where people come not only to shop or donate, but to heal, to give back, and to find meaning.
Many of the volunteers who keep Oak Tree Treasures running first came to Big Bend Hospice as family members. They know what it means to lose someone. They know what it means to be cared for. And in the days after loss, they found a way to turn gratitude into service.
Oak Tree Treasures is full of stories. Sometimes you hear them at checkout. Sometimes they’re passed between volunteers. There is laughter, comfort, and community. It’s a place where grief doesn’t isolate, but it connects. We recently shared a short video that captures what makes the store so special. If you haven’t seen it yet, I encourage you to watch it here and see the spirit of this place come to life.
As a nonprofit, we’re always looking for innovative ways to support our work. Oak Tree Treasures is one of those innovations. It gives people in our region a tangible way to support our mission in a meaningful way. When someone buys a picture frame or donates a gently used jacket, that simple act helps us provide music therapy to a patient, grief support to a family, or spiritual care to someone nearing the end of life.
So, as we enter into the new year, if you’re clearing out space, consider donating items. If you’re hunting for meaningful gifts, stop in and take a look. You might walk out with something unexpected, and you’ll leave knowing your purchase made a difference in someone else’s life.
To our team at Oak Tree Treasures, thank you. Your compassion shows up in every tag, every sale, every warm welcome. You remind us all that hospice care isn’t confined to one setting. It lives wherever people choose kindness and connection.
And that makes this little shop on Mahan Drive one of the most powerful places we know.