“Setback won’t stop Finnegan campaign”

That was the headline that accompanied a story I wrote in 2006 for the Loyalist College newspaper about Leo Finnegan’s campaign for re-election for a second term as mayor of Prince Edward County after he had suffered a mild heart attack.

The first sentence of that article read, “Campaigning from the sick bed may be a difficult thing for Prince Edward County Mayor, Leo Finnegan, but if you have the right team behind you, things are a little easier.”

It’s striking to me that I was writing about Leo before I met him and now, 17 years later, we’re on the same team at the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF). Leo is one of the directors I interact with most. When my phone rings, more often than not, it’s Leo on the line.

What I wrote in 2006 rings true today, if you have the right team behind you, things are a little easier. We are fortunate to have Leo on our team at the foundation.

One commonality Leo and I share is we are fiercely passionate about supporting our County hospital through the foundation’s monthly giving program. Leo is one of our strongest advocates for giving monthly. Recently, he wrote a testimonial about monthly giving that will soon appear in our local papers.

For those unfamiliar, the foundation offers donors the opportunity to spread their giving out over 12 months through our monthly giving program. Gifts are automatically processed using a credit card, through pre-authorized banking or through our website. It’s easy!

Donors who opt for monthly giving demonstrate a strong commitment to their favourite causes. Not only do they provide regular, predictable income, they are the most likely supporters to leave a gift in their will.

PECMHF launched its monthly giving program in 2014. Since then, the program has grown to almost 120 caring individuals and businesses who collectively raise more than $80,000 a year. You can see why these donors make such a huge difference.

Part of being a monthly donor is making your gift easier and more impactful. I support PECMHF through this program. My modest contribution supports the hospital’s area of greatest need and Leo’s gift supports the campaign to Back the Build for a new hospital.

Monthly gifts have lower administrative costs so more of your money goes directly to the hospital, and with one annual consolidated receipt, your charitable contributions are easier to manage at tax time. This program is also flexible allowing donors to increase, decrease, pause or stop their gift at any time.

With your help as a monthly donor, PECMHF can purchase new equipment and enable the hospital staff to continue to provide exceptional care, close to home, for you and your loved ones. You are also helping to increase our annual income, set more predictable budgets, and forecast cash flow more effectively while keeping our postage costs down.

When you sign up for monthly giving, you play a vital role in the future of our community. Every dollar we receive makes a difference to our patients, and their families.

Soon some of our long time donors will receive a letter from us asking you to consider a monthly gift. You may also see newspaper ads, and hear our commercials on local radio stations. We hope this outreach may inspire you to consider a monthly donation of whatever you can comfortably manage.

Thank you to everyone who has already stepped forward and gives monthly. You are among some of our most special supporters.

Earlier I mentioned the foundation has 120 incredible monthly donors. Leo and I are hoping by the end of June we will have reached 150.

Will you join our team and help us get there?

For information about our hospital, or to join our monthly giving program call 613 476 1008 ext. 4425, or visit our website at www.pecmhf.ca.