RUMFORD - Job seekers, those interested in learning how to further their education, veterans and others who want to find sources for a variety of personal needs have a chance on Wednesday to get their questions answered at the annual Rumford Job and Resource Fair.

More than two dozen employers and agencies will be available at the American Legion Hall on Congress Street from 2 to 7 p.m.

Marlene Gile, employment counselor at the Western Maine Community Action CareerCenter based at the River Valley Technology Center in Rumford, said the organization has been working to put the resource fair together for several weeks.

"We've tried to target the needs of NewPage employees as well as other community members," she said Friday afternoon.

The annual event is also timed to correspond with the end of winter jobs at the Sunday River Ski Resort, as well, she said.

But anyone with a need ranging from where to look to advance their education, to finding a job, to how to learn whether they are eligible for fuel assistance or food stamps is invited to the free event. Door prizes will also be awarded.

Among the educational resources represented are Central Maine Community College, the Rumford/Mexico University Center, and the Region 9 School of Applied Technology.

Employers include Wausau Paper Co. in Jay, Cianbro, Irving Forest Products, Bonney Staffing, Care and Comfort, recruiting for personal care aides and certified nursing assistants, ICT call center in Wilton, AtWork, which is a Lewiston construction firm, Creative Innovations, which recruits for personnel to staff after school programs, and Maine Staffing, an employment agency that is expected to list local employers that have employment needs.

Veterans looking for benefits will have a chance to talk with veteran counselors, and those with other needs may talk with people from the United Way.

Also represented will be the River Valley Growth Council, the River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition, the Social Security Administration, the Small Business Administration, the Rumford CareerCenter and representatives from the Trade Adjustment Act and the Alternate Trade Act.

Gile suggested that job seekers bring along a resume.

The annual event generally draws as many as 70 people from towns throughout the River Valley region.

She said many learn of benefits out there that they may not have been aware of, such as the RIDES program that transports patients to medical appointments.