Volunteers are a community’s greatest strength. With their spirit of selfless giving, they move projects forward and make communities stronger and enhance the quality of living for everyone.

There are two kinds of volunteers. One type takes on leadership roles, assuming authority for making decisions and moving organizations forward in meeting their mission statements and mandates. They are willing to take on the mantle of responsibility knowing they will be held accountable for the success or failure of the organization.

The other type takes on a more behind the scenes, quiet role, doing small tasks that require people’s power and regular consistent commitments. They are the unsung heroes that rarely receive acknowledgment or recognition for their tireless work.

Recently the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Board of Directors was unanimous in their decision to nominate Sue Law for the prestigious Leo Finnegan Distinguished Service Award (LFDSA) given by the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation. The nomination was successful, and Sue was awarded the LFDSA at the foundation’s annual general meeting on June 28.

The Auxiliary chose to nominate Sue because she is both types of volunteers and has provided over 25 years of service to support health care in Prince Edward County.

Sue has been a constant presence in the PECM Hospital since she first started volunteering with the Auxiliary in 1998. Her auxiliary volunteer duties include holding the offices of Board Vice President, Board President, and Past President. These positions of leadership led the Auxiliary through six years of growth and required many hours of organizing events, chairing board meetings, and participation at regional and provincial events.



Sue’s commitment to the hospital is unparalleled. She has volunteered in Blood Donor Clinics, the Dialysis Clinic, Meals on Wheels, and on Tag Days. Her most significant in-hospital contributions were as the Manager of Endoscopy for many years. Sue’s fundraising efforts to help purchase necessary hospital equipment are most evident in the leadership roles she has taken for the Festival of Trees over many years. She sits on the organizing committee and is responsible for the recruitment and scheduling of hundreds of volunteers. In all her work at every level Sue has demonstrated integrity, professionalism, and dedication.

Sue was the Auxiliary President (2009 to 2011) responsible for leading the decision to expand the Second Time Around Shop (STAS) and was instrumental in moving it to the larger storefront which it occupies today. This move resulted in the STAS becoming the fundraising machine that it is today.

In May of 2011, Sue was elected to the PECMH Foundation Board and continued there until June 2019. She took on responsibilities that included thank you calls to donors, assisting with governance work, and helping the ad hoc committee that planned, held, and supported awareness events. These were some of the first steps in what became the Back the Build Campaign to help fundraise for a new hospital.

During her presidency, the Auxiliary members took a leap of faith and made a commitment to donate $1 million to PECMHF’s campaign for our new hospital. The Auxiliary was the first community partner to pledge a gift for the new hospital. It signaled to the community that a new hospital was needed and the endorsement from the volunteers gave confidence it would become a reality.

Letters of support for Sue’s nomination noted her exemplary leadership and service, her kindness, empathy, and sense of giving to those in need. They reported Sue has always met a challenge with a smile and a ‘how can we help’ attitude that has blessed the hospital on many fronts.

Please join me in thanking and congratulating Sue for her dedication to and support for our County hospital.

For more information about the LFDSA visit https://www.pecmhf.ca/distinguished-service-award.