Newton - The continuing call for assistance in the Gulf Region sparked Newton Memorial’s medical staff, nurses, technicians, employees and volunteers to give to those in need. The families affected by the hurricanes that ravaged the Gulf Region this summer and fall have been and will continue to be overwhelmed for some time to come. The hospital “family” responded to this need when employees Karen Rinaldi, Donna Steer and Colleen Lee joined forces to initiate a request for donations. Individual donations from employees, physicians and volunteers soon amounted to $5,600. In lieu of purchasing Christmas gifts exchanged at the annual holiday party, $10,000 was contributed to the Salvation Army by the hospital on behalf of all employees. The medical staff added to the fund with a $2,500 donation. The total contributions amounted to $18,100, which was presented to representatives of the local Salvation Army located in Hamburg. The Salvation Army reported that every dollar collected on behalf of the survivors of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita will be used to provide relief recovery for the survivors of these two destructive storms. Employees also donated more than $650, plus well over $1,000 worth of new clothes, food and toys, to be distributed to the needy of Sussex County. Every year Karen Rinaldi organizes a collection within the hospital to support People Help of Sussex County, which coordinates a county-wide food and gift collection for local neighbors in need. “As usual, employees responded graciously and gave from their hearts,” said Rinaldi “Approximately 655 families and 731 children benefited from this collection effort.”