Donors at the Centre of Supporting PECMH Foundation’s Equipment Fund

Website Editor • April 22, 2022

PICTON, April 22, 2022

Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF) is proud to invest in the delivery of healthcare services in Prince Edward County by funding several pieces of urgently needed, lifesaving equipment.

In 2021, we lived through a worldwide pandemic for a second year in a row. And yet, this did not stop all of our incredibly generous supporters from making a donation to the PECMH Foundation.

Thanks to the outpouring of support from the community, PECMHF disbursed $333,261 for priority equipment needs in its 2021/22 fiscal year for Quinte Health Care Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (QHC PECMH) and the Quinte region.

Today, PECMHF recognized the generosity of our Prince Edward County community by celebrating the equipment funds that have been transferred to QHC.

These donations equipped QHC PECMH’s Endoscopy Department with a new defibrillator and portable cardiac monitor and bought a portable blood analyzer for the Emergency Department. The ultrasound machine, which will benefit over 2,200 patients annually was purchased along with an Automated Endoscope Reprocessor (AER) that cleans and disinfects gastroscopes and colonoscopes. New bariatric stretchers were added to the fleet and the workstation to review mammographic images was replaced.

“In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospital continues to serve the medical needs of our community and the greater Quinte region every day through the support of our donors,” said Barbara McConnell, chairperson of the PECMH Foundation. “We know these are extraordinary times that require extraordinary support. From managing evolving health care needs, to ensuring the proper equipment is available for the medical staff, we know having access to this equipment will have a positive impact on our patients, their families and caregivers.”

The PECMH Auxiliary stepped forward and contributed towards five pieces of equipment. The Rotary Club of Wellington pledged support for the Automated Endoscope Reprocessor and donor support, together with $25,000 from the DiBattista family of Picton and proceeds from the Teeing Up Fore Health Care golf classic held in September 2021 purchased the ultrasound machine.

“Ensuring QHC PECMH has the necessary equipment to provide the best health care possible in our community is our top priority,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “We are grateful to everyone who donated. Our donors continue to prove just what a philanthropic community Prince Edward County is. We remain humbled by this generosity and the influence our donors have on the safe delivery of health care services across the region.”

“The medical team appreciates the role PECMHF plays in helping to connect health services and the community. Their efforts ensure we are supported with priority equipment, facility enhancements and other projects in our hospital,” said Dr. Sarah Le Blanc, medical lead at QHC PECMH. “The foundation also looks into the future with us. We work in partnership with them as we plan for future needs including building redevelopments, and their contributions help to ensure our medical staff have access to leading edge equipment and technology that contribute to making better-informed care decisions with our patients.”

PECMHF and QHC are working together, with a shared goal of providing better, more coordinated care, locally and across the region. During the 2021/22 fiscal year, PECMHF transferred their second $20,000.00 installment toward a $100,000 pledge to QHC to assist with the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) renovations at QHC Belleville General Hospital.

Stacey Daub, QHC’s president and CEO stated, “We are grateful to the PECMH Foundation and the donors in our community for their amazing support. Our County hospital is integral to the health and wellness of our community and this equipment funding will support our teams to deliver great care, close to home, including for residents from across the region. We are inspired by the many generous donors who are committed to making local health care accessible and to providing our teams with leading edge equipment to serve our patients.”

The PECMHF is embarking on a new campaign to raise $1,874,750 for priority equipment needed at QHC PECMH in the 2022/23 fiscal year. Some of the items include an Echocardiogram (ECG) machine, a new X-Ray machine, a borescope and two new SMART beds.

“Thank you to our donors for helping PECMHF serve our communities throughout the ups and downs of this past year. With your support, we will hit the ground running and we are ready to face whatever comes next in 2022,” said McConnell. “Our community of donors continue to make incredible, innovative care more accessible to all. Thank you so much!”

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.

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Andara Gallery's Annual 'Holiday Photo in the Barn' moves to the Eddie Hotel and Farm

October 31, 2025

BLOOMFIELD, October 28, 2025 – What began as a way to bring isolated people together safely to make cherished holiday memories during the Covid pandemic … grew over 5 years resulting in over 3,000 people (and countless pets) being photographed at ANDARA Gallery’s annual “Holiday Photo in the Barn” event … raising over $35,000 for the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation. Today, Tara Wilkinson and Andrew Csafordi are proud to announce that this beloved program will be transitioning over to The Eddie Farm & Hotel for the 2025 Holiday season … and beyond. “We have loved every minute of our five years hosting this special holiday fundraiser! The program has grown so much and now requires more energy and resources. We couldn’t be more thrilled to hand the reins of this beautiful annual tradition over to the stewardship of Alex Portman and Michael von Teichman at The Eddie Hotel and Farm … the epitome of “Christmas in the County”. We know their team will do a great job continuing this treasured tradition for County residents and visitors in support of our beloved hospital”, said Tara Wilkinson, co-owner of ANDARA Gallery. Artists Tara and Andrew will continue to focus on creating, exhibiting and selling contemporary fine art paintings, photography, digital art and ceramics year-round from their colourful ANDARA Gallery - named one of Ontario’s Top 10 Best Art Galleries by TripAdvisor earlier this year. ANDARA Gallery’s upcoming holiday art show and sale, “LUMINOUS” will run November 15th through December 6th and then December 16th to 23rd from 11 AM to 5 PM. For more information, visit www.andaragallery.com. The 6th Annual “Holiday Photo in the Barn” event will take place at its new location, The Eddie Hotel and Farm located at 15786 Loyalist Parkway (between Bloomfield and Wellington) in Prince Edward County … Thursdays through Sundays between Noon and 6 PM starting on Thursday, December 4th and running through Sunday, December 21st, 2025. The event will now be known as “Holiday Photos at The Red Barn”. Residents and visitors can now make an advance reservation for their group photo time through www.theeddie.ca/holiday-photo-in-the-barn. Guests will check in a Nellie’s Cheese Shop located in The Red Barn where they can make their donation to PECMH Foundation’s “Back the Build” campaign, purchase a snack, hot chocolate, mulled cider and other holiday gifts. You then bring your own fully charged camera and choose from one of 3 photo areas in and around The Red Barn. Eddie staff will be available to assist with taking your photo or you can use one of the iphone camera stands available at each photo location. All they ask in return is for a donation to PECMH Foundation’s “Back the Build” campaign. “We suggest a donation of $10 per group, but a larger donation is welcome if you can afford it, and less is fine if you can’t” says Alex. An income tax receipt will be issued by the PECMHF for all donations over $100. To make your reservation for the 6th Annual “Holiday Photo in the Barn” event at The Eddie Hotel and Farm, go to www.theeddie.ca/holiday-photo-in-the-barn. “We are delighted to be taking over the annual “Holiday Photo in the Barn” event from Tara and Andrew at ANDARA Gallery and bringing it to The Eddie Hotel and Farm. It seemed like such a good fit since our property is already so decorated after The Red Barn Holiday Market - which takes place the last weekend of November each year. We loved the idea of people being able to capture their family memories over the years against the backdrop of “The Eddie”, says says Alex Portman, Co-owner of The Eddie Hotel and Farm. “We are delighted to continue this wonderful tradition of providing such a joyful experience for our community that brings people together to create holiday memories while raising much needed funds for the new hospital,” says Michael Von Teichman, Co-Owner of The Eddie Hotel and Farm. “Thank you to Andrew and Tara of ANDARA Gallery and everyone who has supported this event over the past five years. We look forward to continuing this wonderful holiday tradition with Alex and Mike at The Eddie Hotel and Farm. No matter the size, every donation makes a difference in the care you and your family will receive in our new hospital,” said Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign chairperson. “We look forward to everyone coming out to support 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.” 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. -30- PHOTO CAPTION: (L-R) Holiday Photo in the Barn Founders and ANDARA Gallery Co-Owners, Andrew Csafordi and Tara Wilkinson, celebrate the transition of their annual fundraiser over to The Eddie Hotel and Farm in Prince Edward County with (Centre) Nancy Parks, PECMHF Back the Build Chairperson and (R), the Eddie’s Co-Owners, Michael von Teichman and Alex Portman. Photo Credit: Staff, The Eddie Hotel and Farm.

Partners in Pink Golf Tournament a Swinging Success

October 28, 2025

The inaugural Partners in Pink Golf Tournament, held on October 9, was a swinging success, raising just over $64,000

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 160 Supports Mammography Campaign

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.

Leaving a Legacy of Care for Generations to Come

October 15, 2025

PECMH Foundation Planned Giving - Merrial Leslie built a full and meaningful life rooted in love, hard work, and community.

Community Spirit Shines as Bake Off Breaks Fundraising Record

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.