The Meredith’s Miracles Valentine’s Shop’s new person in charge, Gail Grimes, started volunteering with Meredith’s Miracles because of her compassion for sick children.

“My heart hurts for these sick children,” Grimes said. “I feel like this foundation has really helped where the need is. I mean this is such a good foundation and they definitely have a worthy cause.”

Grimes has volunteered with Meredith’s Miracles for years and has volunteered making sundaes for the Valentine’s shop for four years.

“It is always a great time making sundaes at the shop. I have been doing it for years,” Grimes said. “And then Kylie Spears and Gene Simpson both asked me to take over the shop. Of course I said I would.”

Grimes said that there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes to get the store ready for operation.

“We hand make all of the sundaes, so it is a very time-consuming job,” Grimes said. “We have had many volunteers this week making sundaes. There is a lot of pricing going on, making displays, getting the windows painted, just a lot of housekeeping duties. I do love everything about the shop though.”

Without the help of her husband, Ted Grimes, she said that she wouldn’t be able to run the shop.

“My husband has helped me a lot,” Grimes said. “It’s not just me here, without him I couldn’t do this.”

Grimes is hoping that this year will be the biggest year for the shop yet.

“We are hoping to blow this season out of the water,” Grimes said. “We are hoping for our best year yet.”

Grimes and her husband both live in Andalusia and reared their children in Andalusia.

The Meredith’s Miracles Valentine’s Day Gift Shop is located at the old Surly Mermaid building on the square and will be open Feb. 1 through Feb. 14, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m., until 5:30 p.m.

For anyone interested in ordering over the phone, contact 334-222-2866.