RUMFORD — The Rumford Hospital Auxiliary has again awarded the hospital’s Annual Appeal $5,000. Most of last year’s gift was earmarked to purchase the labor tub for the new Birthing Center in the now year-old John H. Welsh Building. This year’s auxiliary gift was unrestricted.

“We count on the auxiliary’s significant contribution every year,” said hospital President John Welsh. “The auxiliary donates more money than any other individual or organization except very large trust funds and grant organizations. It’s amazing what they are able to do year after year.”

All the funds donated by the auxiliary are raised through public sales. The membership holds three bake/food sales each year at Halloween, Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day. Two jewelry sales, one just in time for Christmas and another before Mother’s Day, bring in significant sums.

Each year the auxiliary asks local individuals and businesses to purchase poinsettias through them, and they deliver every first Friday of December.

The fundraiser that requires the most work and most assistance from the community is the annual May Yard Sale. People throughout the area are asked to donate household goods, books and furniture, which the auxiliary members pick up from homes and businesses. For one Saturday in May, the building at 209 Lincoln Ave. overflows with yard sale items as well as auxiliary baked goods, including the now-famous Kreckel’s chocolate chip cookies.

 “The auxiliary’s $5,000 gift has put the 2009-2010 Annual Appeal at slightly more than one half its goal for the appeal year that ends June 30,” said Welsh. “We hope others in the community will follow their example and give whatever they can manage to help the hospital purchase vital medical equipment and continue to provide leading edge medical care to people in the River Valley.”