Eastern Star supports x-ray campaign

bboyce • November 28, 2022

Picton Chapter #273, Order of the Eastern Star supports x-ray campaign

PICTON, November 24, 2022 – The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF) received a gift from the Picton Chapter #273, Order of the Eastern Star (OES) in recognition of their 70^th anniversary.

At their November meeting, chapter members presented Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign chairperson and Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation with a cheque for $15,000. The gift will be used to help purchase a new x-ray machine that is needed in the current hospital and will transition to the new hospital in 2027.

At Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH), the x-ray machine is used daily. The team of radiologists and Medical Radiation Technologists (MRT) rely on the current x-ray machine to perform over 8,800 exams each year.

“We are incredibly grateful to be the beneficiaries of this wonderful gift from the Eastern Star,” said Coull. “Donor support is key to making the new hospital a reality and that includes arming it with leading edge medical equipment, including the new x-ray machine. We have an extremely rare opportunity to build and equip a modern facility that will improve the quality of care patients receive locally. This is a game changer for Prince Edward County and we are proud to partner with the Picton Chapter #273, OES to invest in the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital.”

Thanks to the PECMH Auxiliary, this gift will be matched dollar for dollar.

The Picton Chapter, made up of 45 members, has made consistent donations to local charitable causes over the past 70 years through fundraising efforts including catering, craft shows, silent auctions, monthly smorgasbords, yard sales, and through income earned on their investments.

“Because we are celebrating 70 years as a Chapter this December, our members agreed it was time, once again, to share a larger portion of our investment income to support the purchase of the x-ray machine needed at our County hospital,” said Dawn Pressy, worthy matron of the Picton Chapter #273, OES. “We make these donations in honour of all members, past and present, who have been so diligent in our purposes and who work together with love and harmony. As proud members of Picton Chapter #273, Order of the Eastern Star, we are happy to share this labour of love with members of our community through this donation to the PECMHF Back the Build campaign.”

“Members of the Order of the Eastern Star, Grand Chapter of Ontario have been doing charitable work in the province for over 100 years, and members of the Picton Chapter have worked for the betterment of our community for 70 years. The hospital’s patients are very fortunate to have donors like them supporting diagnostic imaging services at PECMH. On behalf of the Campaign Cabinet, I extend thanks to the entire membership, who include our family, friends and neighbours, for choosing to Back the Build,” said Parks.

With more than 4,500 members spread across dozens of chapters in Ontario, the Order of the Eastern Star is a fraternal order that includes Master Masons and their female relatives among its membership.

The Order champions a philosophy based on fidelity, constancy, loyalty, faith, love and charity.

Picton Chapter #273, OES was established on December 19, 1952, and one year later, earned their Charter from the Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star of Ontario, Canada Incorporated. The Order of the Eastern Star is the largest fraternal organization in the world that welcomes both women and men to membership.

“We have always worked in the background to make our contributions to the community, and are not about the recognition more so than about giving where needed,” said Pressy.

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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Pictured at the Masonic Lodge in Picton are PECMHF’s Executive Director Shannon Coull and Back the Build Campaign Chairperson Nancy Parks with members of the Picton Chapter #273, Order of the Eastern Star.

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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.