RUMFORD – Six months of fundraising were successful for Linda French, a town activist who decided dress uniforms for the Rumford Police Department would put a bright, positive image on the town.

She, and others who supported the project, raised just over $3,400, enough to buy six dress uniforms and some of the decorative emblems used on them.

The new uniforms were used for the first time last week during the area’s 20th Drug Abuse Resistance Education graduation at Mountain Valley High School for fifth-graders. The program is expected to be broadcast on the local cable access channel in about a week.

The D.A.R.E. program donated U.S. and Maine state flags as well and the poles and stands used for them

The uniforms will be used for a variety of special occasions such as parades and patriotic events.

Not only did French put out the call for donations from local businesses and individuals, but she also helped organize fundraising events at the annual Octoberfest and Christmas in the Valley fairs.

She decided to take on the fundraising task because police departments aren’t permitted to raise funds.