D. Wynne Thomas is leaving a lasting legacy in Prince Edward County, four local charities near and dear to Wynne’s heart will be benefiting close to $2M collectively.

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF), The County Foundation, Hospice Prince Edward and the Picton United Church (PUC) Foodbank announced the gift on May 16^th presented by the estate trustees, John Clarke and Cynthia Pilon.

Shannon Coull, Executive Director for the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation states, “Wynne’s commitment to healthcare in Prince Edward County doesn’t just span the past and present, it extends into the future. Wynne has played an important role in Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital’s future by leaving a legacy gift to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF).

This bequest will help to purchase a CT Scanner for the new hospital, bringing this critical service to our hospital for the first time in our County’s history. Donors, like Wynne, are ensuring we are not only building a new hospital, we are building a GREAT hospital, potentially the first of its kind in North America. This gift is a reflection of Wynne’s lifelong commitment to community, and the betterment of others. We are enormously grateful for his forethought in including the hospital foundation in his estate plans. His generosity will have a positive impact on the quality of life for people living in or visiting The County for many years to come.”

The County Foundation Executive Director, Dominique Jones, one of the estate beneficiaries' states, “The County Foundation is honoured by this bequest from Wynne Thomas. The gift will benefit Prince Edward County for the next few decades with an annual disbursement to an organization or organizations that address a major need in the County. We will turn to Vital Signs data to determine what priorities will best benefit from this funding. Thank you, Wynne, for your continued generosity to this County.”

Sandy Barnes, executive director for Hospice Prince Edward states, "Hospice appreciates this generous gift from the Estate of D. Wynne Thomas, and all that his philanthropy has fostered within our community. Hospice Prince Edward has recently approved a strategic plan that will take into consideration viable options to ensure the future of hospice care remains robust to meet the needs of those living in Prince and Edward County and the surrounding area. This donation will provide the foundation for which these decisions will be made. We're honoured to receive this bequest."

Picton United Church (PUC) Foodbank also received a bequest from Wynne’s estate, Seona Halsey on behalf of PUC Foodbank’s volunteers commented, “in these challenging times of rising food and housing costs, the PUC Food Bank is dealing with ever-increasing numbers of people weekly. This donation has come at a very opportune time for us, and it will be put to good use to help meet the needs of our members. We are so very thankful to the estate of Wynne Thomas for this generous and thoughtful donation.”

The generosity of Wynne Thomas will leave a lasting impact on all of these collective charities and will continue to touch many lives in the area of healthcare, food security and the arts.

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Pictured from left: John Clarke, estate trustee; Barry Davidson, treasurer, Hospice Prince Edward Foundation; Sandra Barnes, executive director, Hospice Prince Edward; Dominique Jones executive director, The County Foundation; Seona Halsey, volunteer, Picton United Church Food Bank; Shannon Coull, executive director, PECMHF; Barbara McConnell, chairperson, PECMHF); and Cynthia Pilon, estate trustee announced the gift on May 16, 2023 at PECMH.