Community Medical Center's Auxiliary celebrates its 60th anniversary with its annual May Tea. 200 were in attendance Monday at the Clarion Hotel in Toms River, as the auxiliary marked a fundraising milestone of $10.3 million dollars.

(l to r) Rick Pallamary, Judy Schmidt, Stephaie Bloom, by R.Key Townsquare Media
(l to r) Rick Pallamary, Judy Schmidt, Stephaie Bloom, by R.Key Townsquare Media
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Auxiliary President Judy Schmidt said even though the hospital receives government grants and insurance funding, it's not enough to cover all of the hospital's needs. She said their fundraising efforts are crucial to meeting the smaller needs that would otherwise fall through the cracks.

"Through the fundraising of the auxiliary you (Hospital) can buy simple things such as a blanket warmer, a rocking chair for the pediatric unit, some pediatric equipment for our emergency room, as well as being able to support what we call the mortar and brick, helping to build a J Phillip Citta Cancer Center, help with the expansion of the emergency room ...", Schmidt said.

The auxiliary predates the hospital itself, established out of the need to raise money to build a medical facility. According to a Community Medical Center press release, "the auxiliary was founded in 1954, when 200 women attended a Tea at the Toms River Town Hall to discuss the need for a hospital in central Ocean County."

She said auxiliary members host numerous events through out the year and operate the CMC gift shop and the Second Time Around Thrift/Consignment store, among other things.

CMC President and Ceo Stephanie Bloom said not only is the auxiliary instrumental in providing the financial undergirding of the hospital during a difficult economy but auxiliary members are CMC's most ardent supporters. "They're just tremendously special people. They work so very hard for us," Bloom said.

Schmidt said the public is welcome to attend a myriad of fundraising events. You can get a calendar of events at the Community Medical Center Foundation website Here. They also welcome attendance to auxiliary meetings held on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at Community Medical Center. New members are welcome.

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