The campaign provides funds for equipment and services that might not necessarily be budgeted.

RUMFORD – “Our community has been generous beyond our wildest expectations,” says Jolan Ippolito, chairwoman of the Rumford Hospital Board. “This is only the third year we have sought regular support through an annual appeal, and we have exceeded our goal in each of the last two years.” This year’s campaign closed with more than $40,000 raised.

She notes that this success is due in a large part to the work of the Development Committee formed three years ago and chaired from its inception by Don Cummings of Mexico.

Other Development Committee members are Barbara Belanger, representing the auxiliary; Paula Fortin. representing employees; the Rev. George Goudreau of Rumford; Paul Jones of Dixfield: Ippolito; Arthur Meader of Rumford; and Paula Smith of Andover. Rumford Hospital CEO John Welsh is an ex-officio member.

The 2002-2003 Annual Appeal goal was $34,200. These funds are earmarked to purchase a stationary stepper for Cardiac Rehab, a new bed for Med/Surg., a telemetry unit for the fetal monitor, an insufflator for surgery patients, an ambulance radio, and furnishings for an expanded Oncology Suite.

“Because we exceeded our goal, we are able to purchase several more pieces of vital equipment that we otherwise wouldn’t have been able to purchase this year,” notes Ippolito.

The annual appeal, which coincides with the hospital’s fiscal year, running from July to June, gives the community an opportunity to show support for the hospital on a regular basis. “Regular yearly giving helps meet annual financial challenges and ensures the hospital’s future excellence, providing quality healthcare close to home for the people of the River Valley,” explains Ippolito. Once firmly established, an annual appeal can be counted on to supply needed equipment and services that might not ordinarily be budgeted.

Giving on a yearly basis also gives community members a sense of ongoing ownership in their community hospital. The River Valley has always responded to special appeals from the 1924 campaign to build the hospital that raised more than $200,000 – a kingly sum in those days – to the 1999 appeal that renovated and furnished the Oncology Suite. Now friends of Rumford Hospital are responding generously to regular appeals.

For more information about the annual appeal and other opportunities for charitable giving, call the Rumford Hospital Development Office at 369-1143.