When Laurie Crane began volunteering at Rumford Hospital about 14 years ago, she knew few people in the area and was looking for a way to get involved in the community.

“I didn’t know anybody, didn’t have family (here). After three months, someone told me, ‘Go to the hospital. They always take volunteers,’” she said.

Crane began as a patient visitor all those years ago and is now one of the leading volunteers helping to organize Rumford Hospital Auxiliary’s annual fundraising yard sale, mostly recently held May 9. It’s a lot of work, she said.

As Rumford Hospital observes its 100th anniversary this year, the auxiliary members and other volunteers are being recognized by Central Maine Healthcare for their support through decades of organizing and fundraising. Special luncheons were held in their honor during National Volunteer Appreciation Week in April.

The auxiliary is celebrated as the “heartbeat” of the hospital, with members playing a crucial role in providing a welcoming atmosphere, volunteering at the front desk and supporting staff.

In her first role at the hospital, Crane spent a lot of time with patients.

“I would go to the rooms and ask them questions about if everything was OK or if they needed coffee, a magazine or an extra pillow. They loved it,” she said. “Some of the elderly people didn’t want me to leave. I can’t get over how many people never had a visitor here.”

But when COVID-19 hit, everything stopped, including the patient visitor program.

Crane moved here years ago from Bangor when her husband took over as site manager for the wind turbines in Roxbury. Her work volunteering at Rumford Hospital has led to participation with five other community organizations, she said.

“I’ve met so many people in the community, and I’m also an officer at the Eagles Club. Our motto is ‘people helping people,’ and that’s what I like doing,” Crane said.

Barbara Belanger has been a lead volunteer for the auxiliary for at least a half century.

“I have about 25 volunteers, some that I consider to be regular volunteers and a group of them called Caring Stitchers, who make warming blankets for all of our patients,” Belanger said. “When the patients leave, they then take the blankets home with them.”

Belanger said the goal for every year is to donate $5,000 to the hospital that can be used toward a piece of needed equipment.

The yard sale has been held since 1992, Belanger said. When the community was larger, the hospital would have a yearly bazaar at the Rumford Armory. Belanger said they would raise up to $20,000 for the hospital. One year, they even raffled off a new car.

In addition to the yard sale, the auxiliary’s other large fundraiser is the poinsettia sale in December.

“We all take pride in our hospital,” Belanger said. “For a small community, we have a very nice hospital. It’s a labor of love.”

For Crane, all those years of connections have paid off and brought her closer to the community.

“I didn’t like not knowing anybody, and that’s why I still do it,” Crane said.

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