Hospital campaign announces fundraising milestone

Celebrates achievement with installation of new campaign thermometer

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation’s Back the Build campaign aims to raise $16.5M over the next five years to help build a new hospital in Prince Edward County.

On Thursday, at a small gathering with campaign volunteers and donors, the PECMH Foundation campaign cabinet excitedly announced $14.7M has been raised in cash and commitments for the new hospital. The announcement came as PECMHF unveiled a fundraising thermometer on the exterior of the current hospital. The thermometer was paid for through a grant from the Jack and Ruby Lockyer Ward Fund, administered by the County Foundation.

PECMH Foundation’s Back the Build campaign is the largest fundraising effort undertaken by the organization in its 35-year history. While the heart and soul of the current County hospital is thriving, the physical structure is nearing the end of its ability to meet today’s standards of medical care. After over 60 years in service, the time for a new hospital is now.

The new Quinte Health Care (QHC) Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital is on track to open in 2025 with shovels going into the ground in 2022.

The $16.5M covers the local share of the new hospital project, set out by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. This funding requirement includes 10 per cent of the hard construction costs for the new hospital as well as 100 per cent of the equipment and furniture costs.

“The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation fundraises to advance health care for every resident and visitor in this community,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “We are grateful to each and every donor who has helped us reach this milestone of $14.7M in cash and pledges raised. Raising the community share of $16.5M toward the new build is not something we can take on without help. We – the team at PECMHF, the campaign cabinet, our partners and donors are working together to make sure the future of health care delivery in Prince Edward County is vibrant and exceptional.”

“The opportunity to co-chair the Back the Build campaign has opened my eyes even further to the critical need the hospital meets in the lives of over 40,000 patients each year,” said Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign co-chair. “The way the hospital staff, campaign cabinet volunteers and community step up to support this campaign never ceases to amaze me. Those who have donated to help Back the Build are touching everyone in this community – from children to the elderly. If you are reading this and have yet to give – there is no time like the present.”

Since the early days of fundraising for the new hospital started in 2014, more than 1,360 donors have contributed to or pledged to help the PECMH Foundation reach this $14.7M fundraising milestone.

Two of those donors were present at the announcement and thermometer unveiling.

Longtime supporters of the hospital foundation, Lanny and Catharine Huff are known for their continuous and generous financial support to so many worthy not-for-profit organizations in Prince Edward County and beyond.

In addition to recognizing and celebrating their philanthropy, Lanny and Catharine formally announced their $2M gift, facilitated through the County Foundation, to help Back the Build for Prince Edward County’s new hospital. This gift helped the PECMH Foundation reach the $14.7M in commitments raised and will go a long way to ensuring the funds needed for the new hospital are realized.

“Lanny and I are proud to support our community in the construction of the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital, the first hospital to be built in the County in over 60 years,” said Catharine Huff. “We are excited to give back to the community which we call home and make this financial donation which will help to ensure that the highest quality of health care is available in our backyard, when it is needed most. We hope this gift makes a meaningful impact and inspires others to step forward.”

Hospital Foundation representatives were overflowing with gratitude in regards to this leadership donation to the Back the Build campaign. The Huff’s transformational gift is the largest the PECMH Foundation has accounted for from individual donors to-date.

 “We have a special place in our hearts for Catharine and Lanny… not only now, as we celebrate this incredible fundraising milestone, but for past occasions when they have so generously donated to our annual fundraising endeavours to raise money to purchase the critical medical equipment needed for our hospital,” said Barbara McConnell, chairperson of the PECMH Foundation.

In recognition of the Huff’s transformative gift, the lobby/atrium inside the main entrance to the new PECM Hospital will be named in honour of this prominent County family.

 “It is with great respect and gratitude that I say, on behalf of the PECMH Foundation, as well as County residents and visitors alike who will benefit every time they step across the threshold of our new hospital… thank you,” said Coull. “Lanny and Catharine’s steadfast support helps get the hospital foundation one step closer to realizing this vision for the future. We cannot thank them enough for their tremendous foresight in helping us Back the Build for a new hospital.”

The PECMH Foundation is reporting a total of $14.7 raised in commitments to-date, or 89 per cent of its $16.5M goal. Those interested in making a donation can do so by visiting www.backthebuild.ca. Cheques can also be mailed to PECMH Foundation, 403 Main Street, Picton, ON K0K 2T0, and those with further inquires may direct them to 613-476-1008 ext. 4502.

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation is a charitable organization whose mission is to raise money to advance health care for the patients of the hospital and the people of Prince Edward County.