Herb and Kathy Pliwischkies' Caring Nature

Website Editor • December 14, 2020

PICTON, December 14, 2020

The caring nature of a Prince Edward County couple was in the spotlight on Tuesday.

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation received an early holiday present of $10,000 from Herb and Kathy Pliwischkies of Picton. Their gift adds to the momentum of the foundation’s Back the Build Campaign for a new hospital.

Pliwischkies, who recently lost his mother Margarete in November, wanted to honour the memory of his mother and father with this donation. Herb. Sr. passed away in 2010.

“My wife Kathy and I decided we would do something worthwhile in memory of my parents,” said Herb Pliwischkies. “The physicians and medical staff here at the County hospital have given their service to us… so we decided it was a good idea to give back to ensure there is always a hospital in Prince Edward County.”

Receiving this special memorial donation was Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation’s Executive Director, Shannon Coull. “Herb and Kathy have sponsored our golf tournament we host in partnership with RE/MAX Quinte for several years in addition to giving annually. Our entire community will benefit from Herb and Kathy’s continued generosity towards our new hospital.”

“As a regional business, RE/MAX Quinte is invested in Prince Edward County’s continued prosperity. Part of looking out for our region’s future is helping support the thousands of local families and visitors who come to Prince Edward County so they can have access to medical care close to home,” Pliwischkies added. “This is a time to step up and do what we can to help get this new hospital built, which is why Kathy and I are honoured to be making this personal contribution today.”

Immigrating from Germany, Herbert Pliwischkies Sr. came to Canada in 1951 and Margarete followed in 1952. Picton became the homestead in 1965 where Herb Sr. was a well respected teacher. Margarete assisted as an audio visual technician at Prince Edward Collegiate Institute. Upon retirement their next adventure took them to Nokomis, Florida where they wintered for 17 years. This was followed by extensive travels in their golden years. The Pliwischkies’ were loving, devoted parents to their children, Christa, Monika, Herb Jr. and the late Carol.

“My parents would be honoured to know they were an inspiration by our donation on their behalf,” Pliwischkies said.

“Herb and Kathy are an outstanding example of the community spirit we see in the County. On behalf of the entire hospital, its staff and patients, I want to thank the Pliwischkies for their generosity,” said Coull. “The foundation and Back the Build team is grateful for this very generous donation. Remembering loved ones in a manner that will help other people carries a special significance to it.”

“We want to sincerely thank the Pliwischkies family for keeping our new hospital in their hearts this holiday season and for standing with us as we work towards building the new hospital,” said Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign co-chair. “Herb and Kathy’s investment in this build makes a huge difference in the lives of every person in this community. We are amazed by how much local families, like the Pliwischkies’, are doing to help.”

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The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH) Foundation is proud to recognize the generosity of Brandon and Hailey Pounder, co-owners of Pounder’s Pub & Patio, who hosted the first annual Pounder Polar Plunge on February 1. Held at Pounder’s Pub & Patio in Wellington, the event brought together community members, local hockey teams including the Wellington Dukes and County Royals, and spectators for a fun and meaningful day in support of local causes. Close to 40 participants took the plunge with a $20 entry fee, while attendees enjoyed a community BBQ donated by the County Royals. The event raised $1,000 for the PECMH Foundation’s Back the Build campaign and $1,000 for the Wellington Auxiliary Rescue Association (WARA), supporting both the future of healthcare in Prince Edward County and the vital work of WARA’s volunteer-run marine search and rescue team. “We are incredibly grateful to Brandon and Hailey for their creativity, community spirit, and commitment to making a difference,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “Events like the Pounder Polar Plunge not only raise important funds but also build momentum and awareness for local initiatives that matter deeply.” “We started the Polar Plunge to give back to the community we grew up in and bring people together,” said Brandon Pounder, co-owner of Pounder's Pub & Patio. “The support from local teams and residents was incredible, and we’re excited to grow this into an annual event and continue supporting important local causes.” Over the past six years (2020–2025), Quinte Health has recorded 315 emergency department visits related to water incidents at its four hospitals—an average of approximately 53 visits per year across the region. PECMH alone sees an average of 11 such visits annually. “Even one drowning is one too many,” said David McFaul, WARA supervisor. “Water safety is something we can’t take for granted in our region, and it takes awareness, education, and strong community organizations to keep people safe. The Wellington Auxiliary Rescue Association plays a critical role in protecting residents and visitors on our waterways through their dedicated volunteer efforts.” WARA operates as part of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, responding to emergencies across West Lake and Lake Ontario. With a highly trained, all-volunteer crew, the organization plays a critical role in ensuring safety along approximately 125 kilometres of shoreline and 2,400 square kilometres of water. Its operations rely heavily on community support and fundraising efforts. The PECMH Foundation extends its sincere thanks to Brandon and Hailey of Pounder’s Pub & Patio and everyone who participated in or supported the inaugural Pounder Polar Plunge.