An Udder Day, an Udder Dollar to Help Back the Build

Website Editor • August 20, 2021

BLOOMFIELD, August 20, 2021

A group of farmers representing the local Dairy Producers and their families presented the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation with a second donation to help Back the Build at a gathering at Prinzhaven Farms on Gilead Road in Bloomfield.

AJ deBoef, chairperson of the Prince Edward County Dairy Producer committee presented a $5,000 gift to PECMHF Executive Director Shannon Coull and members of the Back the Build Campaign Cabinet. This is the second donation the Dairy Producers have made to help build Prince Edward County’s new hospital. The Dairy Producers gave $18,000 in November of 2018 and were one of the first groups to step forward with a gift to help Back the Build. This second gift brings their cumulative giving to $23,000 for the new hospital campaign.

“In spite of event cancellations due to COVID-19, like the annual youth hockey Milk Tournament and other sporting events, the PEC Dairy Producers recognize we too must pivot along with the rest of our community. As a result, we have decided the best way to continue our local support at this time is to give a donation to the PECMH Foundation’s Back the Build campaign,” said deBoef.

“We are extremely grateful to this special group of farmers for their continued support,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the
PECMH Foundation. “This gift today from the Dairy Producers and their families is helping shape our County’s tomorrow. This gift will go a long way in helping our hospital’s Care Champions continue to provide exceptional care but in a new, leading edge facility.”

The Dairy Producers are deeply committed to supporting the community where their families have worked and lived for generations. This is why the group decided to once again invest in the future of health care in the County, to ensure the hospital is available for many years to come. There are 30 Dairy Producers in Prince Edward County.

“Communities coming together during these difficult times is more important than ever. The Dairy Producers and our families are happy to support the PECMH Foundation as they work to meet their goal for the Back the Build campaign. We know we will all benefit from having a new hospital, close to home,” said committee member
Phil Prinzen. “This is just a small way to give back and thank the community, to thank our health care teams and everyone who supports the buying of Canadian dairy products.”

Thanks to the
Paul B. Helliwell Foundation, the gift from the Dairy Producers will be matched two to one, thus tripling their impact.

“The generosity of the Dairy Producers is not only a reflection of the kindness and compassion shown toward the community they call home, but also demonstrates the importance of this project,” said
Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign co-chairperson. “Gifts from local groups, like the Dairy Producers, speak to the importance of community involvement and the impact it has on the quality of care for those residing in and visiting our County and who use our hospital. We are so thankful to the dairy farming community for their support and interest in the future of our hospital.”

The Back the Build campaign continues to be a project on the moo-ve as the foundation is within $800,000 of reaching its $16.5 million goal to build the new hospital.

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

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 160
October 17, 2025
The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH) Foundation is grateful to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 160 in Wellington for their generous $3,000 grant from the Poppy Fund to support the purchase of a new mammography machine for our new hospital.
Merrial Leslie
October 15, 2025
PECMH Foundation Planned Giving - Merrial Leslie built a full and meaningful life rooted in love, hard work, and community.
September 24, 2025
Community Spirit Shines as Bake Off Breaks Fundraising Record PICTON, September 24, 2025 – The sweet smell of success filled the air at the Picton Fair as the 16th annual Bake Off Challenge raised a record-breaking $18,700 for the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF). With more than 50 entries and enthusiastic bidding, the community once again proved that a passion for baking can translate into life-changing support for local health care. Proceeds will go toward the purchase of a digital mammography machine, a critical tool for early breast cancer detection. Since 2007, the Prince Edward Agricultural Society, who host the Bake Off has raised over $64,500 for the hospital. This year’s event included a special one-time memorial apple pie category in honour of the late Deputy Fire Chief Jim Young, who was the inaugural Bake Off winner in 2007 with his unforgettable apple pie. A total of 26 apple pies were entered in his honour, raising an incredible $8,250 on their own. Jim’s parents, Colleen and Murray, and daughters, Dahnon and Kendyl, were present to celebrate his legacy. Entries were judged by Ken Menlove, a local lawyer; Jordan Smart with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Auxiliary Unit; Mike Roy, a community member; and Chris Malette, MP for Bay of Quinte. The auction produced plenty of highlights. Firefighter Autumn Benlap’s Caramel Apple Spice Cheesecake topped the apple pie category and sold to Dr. Sarah Waterston, and Elizabeth Lodge’s Lemon Cream Pie, named best overall pie, sold to Herman Prinzen. “The Bake Off is more than a fundraiser — it’s a celebration of community spirit and generosity,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “This year’s proceeds will support the purchase of a new digital mammography machine for the new County hospital, and we are so grateful to every baker, bidder, and volunteer who made that possible.” “The Bake Off has become a highlight of the Picton Fair, and it’s inspiring to see how much it has grown,” said Susan Harrington, president of the Picton Fair Board. “The generosity of our community never ceases to amaze us. Thank you to everyone who baked, bid, or volunteered to make this year such a success.” The Agricultural Society also expressed its gratitude to the many individuals and local businesses who made the event possible. “There’s something truly special about seeing friends, neighbours, and businesses come together over pies and cakes to support health care,” said Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign chairperson. “This event proves that even the simplest of traditions can make a lasting impact on our community.” The Foundation is proud of its longstanding partnership with the Agricultural Society and looks forward to welcoming everyone back to next year’s Picton Fair. 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. 
Picton Fair Bake Off Honour Deputy Jim Young
August 26, 2025
Picton Fair Bake Off to Honour Deputy Jim Young - Funds raised will support the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation.
MLP Residence Donates $5,000 to PECMH Foundation's Back the Build Campaign
August 20, 2025
MLP Residence is proud to announce a $5,000 donation to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH) Foundation’s Back the Build campaign.
Base31 partners with Quinte Health and PECMH Foundation
August 14, 2025
PECMH Foundation and Quinte Health are pleased to announce a partnership with Picton’s Base31 that ensures air ambulance services are continuing while construction on the new hospital is underway.
How a Daycare Found Wonder in a Hospital Build
August 13, 2025
"My New Hospital” – through little eyes - At the HUB Child & Family Centre, our youngest neighbours have a front-row seat to the action next door — the building of the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital!
PECMH Foundation Celebrates Record-breaking Fundraising Year
By Tanya Moore July 4, 2025
PECMH Foundation Celebrates Record-breaking Fundraising Year - The PECMH Foundation reported that the community stepped forward to help raise over $6.2 million in the 2024/25 fiscal year ending on March 31.
Mass Timber Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital
By Tanya Moore July 2, 2025
Mass Timber Construction Takes Centre Stage in New Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Build
Monica Alyea Receives the 2025 Leo Finnegan Distinguished Service Award
By Tanya Moore June 27, 2025
The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH) Foundation is proud to announce Monica Alyea as the 2025 recipient of the Leo Finnegan Distinguished Service Award (LFDSA). PECMH Foundation former Board Member Leo Finnegan, and Executive Director Shannon Coull, presented this year’s award.
Show More