RUMFORD – Rumford Hospital recognized its volunteers on April 24 with a lunch and awards at The Madison.

The more than 40 people gathered applauded the top two time-givers, Effie Wait with 677 hours volunteered, and Jean Tyler with 229 hours.

Chief Executive Officer John Welsh also recognized Sylvia Arsenault, Sonya Robinson, Lillian Irish and Pat Hopkins for each giving more than 100 hours. Melissa Howe, who volunteers through the Aspire program, was recognized for her 1,185 hours of volunteering in the laboratory.

Director of Nursing Jane Aube singled out the four pet therapy volunteers, Louise Austin Virginia Jones, Becky MacDonald and Donna Rowe. She also presented them with bags of dog treats for their therapy dogs, Katya, Angus, Little Bear and Buddy, respectively.

Guest speaker Sharon Kuhrt, director of the Central Maine Medical Center School of Nursing, gave a history of the school with antique photographs and explained what the school is doing to improve the current nursing shortage. Those tactics include increasing class size and offering interactive televised classes at the Rumford/Mexico University College.

Volunteers gave more than 3,600 hours in the last year, doing jobs from filing and shredding to cooking in the auxiliary coffee shop.

The hospital needs even more volunteers in different departments. For more information about volunteer work, call Priscilla Bickford in Human Resources at 369-1042.