Long tables were crammed with special Easter baskets, cookies, candy, cakes, coffee cakes, pies and other goodies.
There were beautiful craft items, including kitty blankets, in the former physical therapy room inside Chelsea Community Hospital on Thursday.
The items were part of the hospital volunteer’s annual spring bake and craft sale, and Harry Gibson was happy to explain all the exciting things that a large group of volunteers have planned this year.
The group is raising funds for the future Comprehensive Cancer Center, three wheelchairs and college scholarships for students interested in the medical field.
They hope to raise $20,000 per year over five years for the cancer center that’s planned for the hospital.
At the annual bake sale, there were between 50-100 different items for sale for very reasonable prices. And, the group was also selling a wonderful cookbook for $12, which can be purchased at the hospital gift shop, and contains some very yummy sounding recipes.
These volunteers have pledged $100,000 to the new cancer center, and they’ve raised funds for other items needed by different departments in the hospital, including a heated hospital ramp,which melts snow and ice.
Last year, Gibson said, the volunteers raised more than $12,000 during a series of sales.
He said the group also offers college scholarships for people headed into the medical field.
Gibson, who has been involved with the volunteers since 2005 is a member of the Ways and Means Committee.
He said already this year, the group has held a “dipstick and stuff,” sale in January, featuring all kinds of dips, which was popular with hospital staff.
In February, there was a fudge sale.
Planned for the remainder of the year are uniform sales, sports memorabilia, candy, another bake sale and perhaps, even a nut sale.
The sales typically take place in the middle of the month and Chelsea Update will keep you posted on the dates for these upcoming events.
