Thanks to the Vaughan Regional Medical Center auxiliary’s $5 jewelry sale, students have a chance to further their education. Drawing hundreds, the biannual sale held last week made more than $37,000.

“It was bigger than last year’s sale … the summer scarves and blouses really boosted the sale this time,” event chair Rosie Dunklin said. “It was better advertising … we went to all the schools and churches. We want to say thank you to WHBB and the Selma Times (Journal) for advertising for us.”

The auxiliary received 20 percent of the revenue, or nearly $7,000, to go toward scholarships and hospital projects. This year, Dunklin said the auxiliary gave away $26,000 in scholarships.

“The reason the sale is so important is because we help area students with scholarships (and) we help the hospital by purchasing new chairs (and) wheelchairs,” Dunklin said. “We remodeled the chapel, furnished the gift shop and bought the chairs and tables in the cafeteria.”

With this year’s items ranging from unique rings, broaches, necklaces, charm bracelets and wallets to Alabama and Auburn merchandise or decorative hair accessories among others, Dunklin said shoppers were able to choose from a variety of things this year.

Dunklin said the auxiliary is grateful to the community for its help during the first sale of the year.

“I thank everybody in the city for their help and for coming in to buy jewelry,” Dunklin said.

For students who are interested in the medical field and applying for the auxiliary’s scholarships, they can pick up a scholarship application on Jan.1 from the auxiliary desk. The next jewelry sale will be held Nov. 1 and 2.

For more information, call 418-4117.