First Major Gift from Picton Business

Website Editor • October 29, 2020

PICTON, October 29, 2020

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation has been waiting a long time to share exciting news about a significant gift to the new hospital, and the donor has deep roots in the Prince Edward County community. Today, the Foundation is able to thank this donor and its Board of Directors for being the first company to come forward with a major gift in support of the Back the Build hospital campaign.

In commemoration of their 146^th anniversary on October 31, Bay of Quinte Mutual Insurance Co. is announcing their $1.5 million gift to help build Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital’s new home.

“Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital is a pillar of the community. Supporting and investing in our local communities is important to Bay of Quinte Mutual Insurance Co. As this community continues to grow, the need for access to health care is more important than ever,” said Steve Raymond, board chair of the Bay of Quinte Mutual Insurance Co.

The transformational gift has been designated to help build the diagnostic imaging department inside Quinte Health Care’s (QHC) new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital. The department will house services currently offered in the present hospital such as X-Ray, ultrasound and mammography and will be named in recognition of Bay of Quinte Mutual Insurance Co.

“It’s a great day when an esteemed business like Bay of Quinte Mutual Insurance expands their charitable giving and chooses to give back to a once-in-a-lifetime project like this,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “Bay of Quinte Mutual Insurance has been a member of our donor family for over 11 years and were the first major corporation to step forward with a significant commitment to help Back the Build. We are grateful for their board’s leadership and investment in continuing to support exceptional health care in our community.”

On October 31, 1874, the Bay of Quinte Mutual Agricultural Fire Insurance Company commenced business in rented office space in the Jamieson Block in Picton. It wasn’t until the 1920s that Bay of Quinte Mutual Insurance Co. expanded to insure properties in Northumberland and Hastings Counties. In 1978, the company moved into its current location on Loyalist Parkway in Picton.

“Bay of Quinte Mutual Insurance Co. takes pride in being part of the rural communities in South Eastern Ontario, but Picton is where we got our start. It’s the reason our board felt strongly about giving back to the community where we had our beginnings 146 years ago. Bay of Quinte Mutual Insurance and Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital are similar in that they have been deeply rooted in this community for over 100 years. A new hospital is not something that happens often and some may never see one in their lifetime. If ever there was an opportunity for our board to support a new hospital with a meaningful gift, now is the time to do so to ensure there’s a hospital here for many years to come,” said Raymond.

Bay of Quinte Mutual Insurance Co. is a long-time supporter of our local hospital and a key partner in advancing the construction of the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital. Many of Bay of Quinte Mutual Insurance Co. board and staff members live in the County and have exceptional pride in helping to build the first new hospital in Prince Edward County in more than 60 years.

“It’s inspiring to see the community come together to support a new hospital. Bay of Quinte Mutual Insurance Co. has shown great dedication and generosity, in both equipping the current hospital and now building the new one. This gift will have a significant impact on our growing community for years to come,” said Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign co-chair.

This gift has been a huge help in PECMH Foundation’s ability to raise $11.3 million of its $16.5 million goal, which represents the community share of the estimated $100 million project.

“We are grateful to the Board of Bay of Quinte Mutual Insurance Co. for this $1.5 million contribution and their community leadership,” said Dennis Darby, Back the Build campaign co-chair.

PECMH’s new build provides a number of opportunities for individuals and families to leave a lasting legacy by naming a room, like Bay of Quinte Mutual Insurance Co. has, in the state-of-the-art facility. Naming opportunities within the new hospital are based on giving levels, starting with a commitment of $25,000, pending availability.

“Honouring and recognizing our donors is a priority for the PECMH Foundation and the Back the Build Campaign Cabinet,” said Coull. “It is a proud moment when we successfully assist our donors to find a naming opportunity that holds special meaning to them. We look forward to cutting the ribbon on the newly named diagnostic imaging department with Bay of Quinte Mutual Insurance Co. representatives when our new hospital is built.”

“Our board members take great pride in helping to build this much-needed hospital for our community. It is an honour for us to be able to give back and make a difference, both as a board and as donors. We’re proud to be supporting Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation’s Back the Build campaign to ensure quality care, close to home, continues to be delivered in Prince Edward County,” said Raymond.

-30-

For more information

Shannon Coull, CFRE

Executive Director

Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation

403 Main Street E., Picton, Ontario, K0K 2T0

613-476-1008 ext. 4503 (work) 613-921-2242 (cell)

Jeffery Howell,

President

Bay of Quinte Mutual Insurance Co.

13379 Loyalist Pkwy., Picton, Ontario, K0K 2T0

613-476-2145

< Older Post

Newer Post >

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.