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(Honesdale, May 5, 2008)…It’s the largest annual gift ever presented to Wayne Memorial Hospital by its Auxiliary: $85,000. Wayne Memorial CEO David Hoff gratefully accepted the donation from Auxiliary President Mary Radell at the hospital’s yearly Volunteer Recognition Luncheon on May 2nd at Ehrhardt’s in Tafton.

      “This (gift) is a testament to your dedication and hard work,” said Hoff, speaking to the Auxilians. For the second year in a row, the group had broken its own donation record.  Hoff beamed, “You are an easy group to brag about.”

      Radell, equally proud of her fellow Auxilians, noted that the amount represented 33,000 hours of volunteer work. She asked the Auxilians who were present to stand as she rattled off an impressive list of contributions made by the Auxiliary over the years.

      “Since 1980, the Auxiliary has raised more than $1,120,000 for Wayne Memorial Hospital,” Radell announced to great applause. “We have more than 200 members and some of our operations are marking decades of service. The Gift Box in the hospital celebrates 35 years this year, and The Other Shop in Honesdale is marking 30 years.”

      The 200-plus members of the Auxiliary are the top contributors to the hospital’s capital campaign, Operation Vital Signs. With this year’s donation, they are only $220,000 shy of their $570,000 pledge.

      Wayne Memorial Health System Board Chairman Helge Mortensen echoed Hoff. “You have helped make Wayne Memorial the envy of all the hospitals in the area.”