The Cast Off will now be open from 3-7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month beginning April 6. The Cast Off crew hopes that this will accommodate those folks around town who work regular business hours and would like to do some thrifty shopping.

This time of year is slow at the Cast Off, so if you are inclined to do your spring cleaning and get rid of some clutter, bring it to the store and Cast Off volunteers, like recently awarded volunteer of the month Gail Bucholz, will be happy to provide you with a tax deductible receipt.

This year, the Mammoth Hospital Auxiliary, which runs the Cast Off, will donate $158,000 worth of equipment to Mammoth Hospital. This will include a Video Colposcope Machine with Video Capture System, Vital Sign Monitors, Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) Knee Machine, Resectoscope, Ureteroscope, a Traction Tower, HoverMatt Air Transfer System, General Electric Electrocardiogram (ECG) machines with ECG Management Software, a Pediatric Clinic remodel and a Dental Chair. Over the years, the hospital auxiliary has donated more than $3 million worth of equipment.

The Mammoth Hospital Auxiliary also has a scholarship program that benefits students in the community wishing to pursue a career in the medical field. The scholarships start at $1,000 and go up to $4,000. Applications are available at the Cast Off, the Mammoth Lakes Library and the Mammoth Hospital Admissions Office.  The deadline for all scholarship applications is April 30, 2011.

Look for the Annual Blood Drive on May 10, 11 and 12 at the Mammoth Lakes Fire Department on Main Street. -Kathryn Adkins/LAK