Giving for the Future

Website Editor • February 18, 2021

February 18, 2021

Our future starts with your legacy

Phil and Selena Prinzen, along with their children, Maria and Paige, are known for being champions in our community. Whether through work, school, farming or volunteering, this tight-knit farm family from Bloomfield give back to our County community in many ways.

 

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital holds a special place inside their hearts and is directly impacted by their desire to give back.

 

The Prinzens know how important health care and hospitals are to a community. They also know that financial support from donors is critical to making sure our hospital can provide the very best care to their family, friends, and neighbours.

 

So it was natural when the husband and wife team looked at their will, they discussed wanting to leave behind something to make a difference in the community they love so much.

 

That’s why Phil and Selena decided to remember the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation with a gift in their will.

 

“A hospital is truly the cornerstone of a community. It’s a precious resource where lives are saved. It’s a place we can all rely on if the need arises and we feel blessed to have it. Having the very best medical equipment, expertise and compassionate care, close to home, is a priceless gift that’s only possible through the caring support of people in our community,” said Selena.

 

The Prinzen family currently contribute to the PECMH Foundation as they are able, most recently through co-ordinating a group gift of $18,000 from members of the Prince Edward County Dairy Producers and their families to help the Foundation Back the Build for a new hospital. The family also wants to make sure their contributions continue well into the future.

 

“We added the hospital to our will years ago, however news of the new hospital build strengthened our commitment,” said Phil. “We are passionate about helping out in our community now – and we feel this gift will be a way to make sure that happens down the road.”

 

The Prinzens appreciate the fact that a little community, like Prince Edward County, has such a terrific health care facility. They want to help the hospital maintain that tradition with their legacy gift.

 

“Leaving this gift in our will enhances the care for patients in our community well beyond our own lifetime. We want to lead by example and encourage donors, patients and colleagues to consider giving back to our County hospital with a legacy gift,” said Selena.

 

By choosing to support the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital, and by including the PECMH Foundation in their Will, Phil and Selena are ensuring their legacy will live on, and continue to ensure our hospital has the resources it needs to provide compassionate care to each and every patient that walks through our doors.

 

A gift in your will can have a significant impact on the quality and accessibility of health care for the thousands of people throughout Prince Edward County and beyond. With over 20,000 Emergency Room visits, over 3,000 day surgery procedures and over 15,000 diagnostic imaging scans conducted each year – you can be sure that your generosity will touch the lives of our entire community for generations to come.

 

“We definitely want to make sure our children and loved ones are looked after when we are gone. By placing a portion of our will directly to the hospital, we feel this will add another dimension of care,” said Phil. “There are funds that are needed to support our hospital, for ourselves, for our children, and for future generations to come. Selena and I are both grateful to be able to play a small part in the exemplary care being provided at PECMH today and we want to ensure the continuation of that care for the future.”

 

By leaving a charitable bequest in your will to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation you will continue to enhance health care in this community, beyond your life time. You can designate a certain sum of money, a particular asset, or a portion of your estate. Whatever form your gift takes, the result is the same --- a healthier community.

 

“These are your friends, neighbours, loved ones and people in your community benefiting – even surviving – because of what our planned gift donors have chosen to leave behind,” said Briar Boyce, senior development officer with the PECMH Foundation. “Your legacy is one of the most impactful decisions of your lifetime – a chance to ensure your values are carried into the future.”

 

Why leave a legacy to your Hospital?

Whether you want to give something back after you or a loved one received treatment, or want to do something that will benefit your community when you’re gone, leaving a legacy donation in your will is a powerful and noble gesture.


To learn more about charitable bequests and other opportunities to leave a legacy of better hospital care including gifts of stock, life insurance, RRSP or RRIFs, please call Briar at 613-476-1008 ext. 4425 or visit us online at www.pecmhf.ca

 

As Phil and Selena watch their young daughters experience the wonder and excitement of the world around them, they know they have made a gift that will lead to a better health care system for future generations of their family. And that is a very satisfying feeling.


November 24, 2025
The Rotary Club of Picton has once again demonstrated its long-standing dedication to strengthening local healthcare by presenting a $5,000 donation to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH) Foundation in support of the Back the Build campaign.  The contribution represents funds raised through several Rotary-led community initiatives, including their annual Rotary Golf Tournament , the Waterfalls Tour , Rotary Cash Calendars and the Lilac Ride . These events continue to play a significant role in ensuring the Foundation meets our $30M Back the Build campaign goal for the new PECMH. For more than 23 years, the Rotary Club of Picton has been a steadfast partner in improving healthcare in PEC—contributing close to $225,000 to date. This includes a generous $100,000 pledge toward Back the Build campaign that was fulfilled in 2023. These funds help to ensure the new hospital is equipped with the modern tools and technology needed to serve patients today and for generations to come. “The Rotary Club of Picton has a deep and enduring commitment to community service, and supporting our hospital is a natural extension of that mission,” said J.J. Johnston, Rotary Club of Picton President. “We are proud to continue contributing to a project that will have a lasting impact on everyone in Prince Edward County.” “We are grateful for Rotary’s leadership, generosity, and community spirit,” said Shannon Coull, Executive Director, PECMH Foundation. “Their ongoing support of this campaign helps ensure our new hospital will provide the high-quality care our community deserves. Rotary truly embodies what it means to give back to the County.” The PECMH Foundation extends its sincere thanks to the Rotary Club of Picton for their support of local healthcare and their thoughtful contribution toward building and equipping the new hospital.
November 21, 2025
PECMH Foundation is celebrating a major milestone in its Back the Build campaign following a generous $600,000 grant from the RBC Foundation Community Infrastructure Fund.
November 20, 2025
Past Chairs Unite at the New Hospital Site to Reflect on Legacy and Celebrate Progress
November 14, 2025
The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH) Foundation is proud to announce a generous $10,000 donation from the Rogers family and Keint-he Winery and Vineyards.
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.
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
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.
Merrial Leslie
October 15, 2025
PECMH Foundation Planned Giving - Merrial Leslie built a full and meaningful life rooted in love, hard work, and community.
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. 
Picton Fair Bake Off Honour Deputy Jim Young
August 26, 2025
Picton Fair Bake Off to Honour Deputy Jim Young - Funds raised will support the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation.
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