Cincinnati Children's Gift Shop/Junior Co-operative Society

The mission of the Junior Co-operative Society is to provide volunteers to operate the Hospital Gift Shop. The proceeds of the Gift Shop provide financial support to Cincinnati Children’s programs as selected by the members. Over the past 60 years, the Junior Co-operative has raised more than 7 million dollars for Cincinnati Children’s.

Founded in 1910, the Junior Co-operative Society at Cincinnati Children’s began as a sewing group that made clothing and handmade toys to give to the hospitalized children. In 1942, the Junior Co-ops centralized their efforts on the medical center’s campus, opening the first Gift Shop as a few shelves in a waiting room area. Since then, the Gift Shop has grown in size and scope and now has two locations dedicated to raising money for Cincinnati Children’s. Keeping true to their mission to support the happiness and welfare of hospital patients and their families, the gift shops are run by Jr. Co-op volunteers and all proceed are donated back to the medical center.

Members are required to work 2 shifts per month and 3 weekend days per year.