RUMFORD – With two months to go until its July 31 close, the Rumford Hospital Annual Appeal is within $3,000 of its goal.

At its May meeting, the development committee made plans to place appeal brochures and remittance envelopes at various spots around the community, so that people who are not on the mailing list can have an opportunity to give. The community will also be invited to make gifts to the annual appeal in memory of loved ones for the Memorial Day holiday.

This year’s appeal is aimed at the purchase of a stationary stepper for Cardiac Rehab, a fully equipped bed for Med/Surg, a wireless unit for the Birthing Center’s fetal monitor, an insufflator for laparascopic surgery, an ambulance radio and furnishing for an expanded Oncology Suite. Each year the hospital’s Development Committee selects several pieces of vital medical equipment to purchase with annual appeal funds. These are always pieces that are of direct benefit to patients.

“The community has been very generous,” says Barbara Belanger, president of the hospital auxiliary and member of the development committee. “But we still need a boost to push the appeal over the top.”

For more information about the appeal or the equipment earmarked for purchase, call Rumford Hospital Community Relations and Development at 369-1143.