PICTON, May 15, 2024 – After 51 years, the Picton Model Railroaders have come to the end of the line.



However, that did not stop the members of the club from jumping on board with two donations to support their local hospital.

Members of the Picton Model Railroaders presented $5,000 to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation and $5,000 to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary at a presentation last week.

The model train club dissolved after the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the members have sold off the equipment and decided to reinvest the earnings into the community to give back to those who supported them.

The foundation will use its share to Back the Build for the new hospital, and the auxiliary will use its donation to fund priority medical equipment needed in the current hospital.

“Over the last number of years, the club has suffered from a declining and aging membership,” said Jerry Kennedy, president of the Picton Model Railroaders. “We wish to thank the club's many supporters and fans. We highly value your support over our 51-plus years of operation and for the 30 years we held train shows. We are also grateful to those who purchased inventory from us. We hope that with these donations to our hospital, we can continue to touch the lives of thousands in our community.”

“It is full steam ahead as we work towards putting shovels into the ground for our new hospital this summer,” said Nancy Parks, chairperson of the Back the Build campaign. “Thanks to community groups like the Picton Model Railroaders, we are on track to realizing our dream of building a new hospital in Prince Edward County. We are grateful to those who support the hospital’s ongoing priority equipment needs and invest in our new hospital.”

“Without community fundraising, our hospital would not have the financial means to purchase equipment that ensures our hospital has the resources it needs to keep care close to home,” said Susan Quaiff, president of the PECMH Auxiliary. 

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 the patients of the hospital.