Rumford Hospital Auxiliary members voted to give $5,000 to the 2007-2008 Annual Appeal. From left are Al Hanington, Barbara Belanger, Donna Hanson, Joan Umbro, Charlene Dickson, Brandi Ledesma, Martha Hanington, Anita Murphy and Sonya Robinson.

Hospital auxiliary doubles appeal gift

RUMFORD – The Rumford Hospital Auxiliary voted to donate $5,000 to the 2007-2008 Annual Appeal, double the size of last year’s gift, at its January meeting.

“We are asking everyone in our community to stretch this year,” said Barbara Belanger, auxiliary president. “People have responded wonderfully – in many cases doubling their gifts, in some cases moving from the $100 Holman Mountain Club level to the $250 Bunker Mountain Club level.”

Rumford Hospital honors its donors of $100 or more with membership in the clubs of the Mountain Society, culminating with the Mount Zircon Club for gifts of $5,000 or more.

The auxiliary hopes that by setting an example of generosity they will encourage other members of the community to increase their gifts as well.

“What would be even better would be to inspire people who’ve never given before to donate,” said Belanger.

The community is being asked to stretch this year because the $100,000 appealgoal was set to equip and furnish the new consolidated patient unit and large operating room that are under construction at the hospital.