BLOOMFIELD, December 11, 2024 – Spirits were bright at ANDARA Gallery as Artist-Owners Andrew Csafordi and Tara Wilkinson presented the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation with an early Christmas gift.

As part of their 5^th Annual ‘ODE to JOY’ Holiday Art Show and Sale, Tara and Andrew (and a creative crew of family, friends and neighbours) once again festively decorated their century-old barn with a stunning 20-foot Christmas tree from Skootamatta Christmas Tree Farm in Flinton, Ontario and welcomed residents and visitors alike for the fifth consecutive year to visit their property for a “Holiday Photo in the Barn.”

Over 500 guests brought their cameras and had their photos taken in exchange for a donation to the PECMH Foundation’s Back the Build campaign. The fundraiser ran from November 16 until December 8, 2024.

Individuals, couples, families, work colleagues, and groups of friends came to the barn for a photo, raising $5,000.00 for the campaign to build a new hospital in Prince Edward County. This brings the five-year total raised to over $35,000 …with over 3,000 visitors and pets photographed to date!

A highlight of the event was the addition of the Gingerbread Shoppe. With the help of friends and neighbours, Tara and Andrew transformed the ANDARA Studio Workshop into a magical and enchanting Gingerbread Shoppe for the 2024 Holiday Season. The Gingerbread Shoppe was a one-stop shop where visitors could purchase hot chocolate, goodies and artisanal fine craft items made by local artists.

“We were happy to provide such a joyful experience for our community again that brought people together to create happy memories while raising money for the new hospital,” said Wilkinson. We are indebted to our family, friends and neighbours who helped us with this year’s event … and to the hundreds of people who came to take a festive photo in our beautiful century-old barn. Many happy holiday memories were made here again this season.”

“Thank you to Andrew and Tara and everyone who has supported this event over the past five years. No matter the size, every donation makes a difference in the care you and your family will receive in our new hospital,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “We are extremely grateful to everyone who supported this festive fundraiser again this year as we work to modernize and enhance health care services to ensure people living in and visiting our community continue to have access to care close to home.”

“Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Holiday Photo in the Barn. Your support makes a big difference and helps us get one step closer to making our new hospital a reality,” said Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign chairperson. “Third-party fundraising events, like this one hosted by ANDARA Gallery, are a wonderful example of how local businesses can turn good fun into big impact.”

“Tara and Andrew have created a beautiful County tradition of bringing friends and family together during the holiday season, and they have also been remarkable supporters for Back the Build. It is incredible to see them build community and their local hospital through joy and connection,” said Stacey Daub, Quinte Health’s president and CEO.

ANDARA Gallery is a contemporary art gallery showcasing fine art paintings and photography year-round in the heart of Prince Edward County. ANDARA Gallery thanks everyone for sharing this joyful experience. Many of the photos taken this year can be seen on their homepage slideshow at andaragallery.com and on Facebook and Instagram at #andaragallerypec.

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to raising funds to advance health care for the people of Prince Edward County and patients of the hospital.

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CAPTION:

ANDARA Gallery Artists and Co-owners, Andrew Csafordi and Tara Wilkinson, were joined by family, friends and volunteers to present this year’s cheque for $5,000 from their annual Holiday Photo in the Barn fundraiser to PECMHF officials. Front Row (Left to right): Tom Wilkinson; Nancy Parks - Back the Build campaign chairperson; Sally Cowan - Back the Build campaign cabinet member; Andrew Csafordi – Artist/Co-Owner ANDARA Gallery; Liz Moran, Jim Grant, Shannon Coull - Executive Director of the PECMH Foundation; Stacey Daub, President & CEO of Quinte Health; Lise Bowden, and Tara Wilkinson, Artist/Co-Owner ANDARA Gallery. Back Row (Left to Right): Helen Morris, Risa Zaleski, Jill Lindeblom, Brenda Wehmeier.

Photo Credit: Briar Boyce, Senior Development Officer, PECMHF.