Lehigh Cements Commitment to New Hospital Campaign

Website Editor • September 24, 2020

PICTON, September 23, 2020

A local company who cares about their employees and the communities where they live are cementing that commitment with a healthy donation.

 

For more than a century, Lehigh Hanson has been supplying cement, aggregates, ready-mixed concrete, asphalt and other building materials throughout North America. Today, the company announced a $25,000 pledge to help the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation raise funds to build a new hospital in Prince Edward County.

 

Dedicated to the communities where they work and live, representatives from Lehigh Hanson felt very strongly about supporting the hard work and dedication of Prince Edward County’s health care workers and wanted to express gratitude with this pledge to the hospital’s much-needed redevelopment project.

 

“We make careful decisions about our charitable giving and giving back to the communities in which we operate is essential to Lehigh. To support the construction of a new hospital, here, in Prince Edward County, was the right decision to make,” said Melissa Eaton, on behalf of Lehigh.

 

“It is clear that this new hospital is a vital project and is one that is important to our employees and their families. Together, our efforts will continue to build sustainable products, and resilient strong communities. We are proud to play a part in the delivery of excellent health care in the County for decades to come,” said Carsten Schraeder. Eaton and Schraeder are members of the Lehigh plant management team.

 

Lehigh Hanson, formerly ESSROC Cement, have been donors to the PECMH Foundation for over 22 years. Having a well-equipped hospital, close to their plant is important to Lehigh. Their past support helped PECMHF acquire the digital mammography machine and build the dialysis clinic, among other projects.

 

“We are incredibly thankful to have such a generous organization within our community,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “The cement plant has been part of the landscape of Prince Edward County for decades and in that time, established themselves as community partners who provide generous support for many local charities, including PECMHF. We are very grateful for Lehigh’s commitment to advance health care for the people of Prince Edward County and beyond with this donation to help us build our new hospital.”

 

“Through this gift, Lehigh is reaching all of its neighbours throughout the County and is showing our communities how much they care,” said Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign co-chair. “What this gift translates into for the health of the people and the families across Prince Edward County is invaluable.”

 

With state-of-the-art design and infrastructure, Quinte Health Care’s new hospital in Prince Edward County will offer the same services as today but in a space that meets today’s standards for care. The emergency department will be equipped with the latest technology and staffed with our skilled and dedicated health care professionals. Inside its walls will be a suite of clinics to provide, among other medical services, endoscopy and dialysis treatment. And it will have 18 inpatient rooms that will be larger, each equipped with its own private washroom. Based on current projected timelines, the new hospital construction will be completed in 2025. The PECMH Foundation is commissioned with raising the local share portion of the build, which works out to be $16.5M.

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.

 

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March 20, 2026
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.
Chestnut Park Picton
March 12, 2026
Chestnut Park Real Estate’s generous $5,000 donation supporting the Back the Build campaign
March 5, 2026
One of Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital’s dedicated Care Champions has been selected as the 2025/2026 recipient of “The County Guys Local Love Bursary.”
trudy phyo gift match
February 6, 2026
Phyo Kyi and Trudy Brown, recent $10,000 donation to the Foundation’s matching gift campaign was doubled to $20,000
Kilroy Family
January 29, 2026
Show your love for PECMH and double your impact today!
Picton Legion Poppy Fund
January 8, 2026
PECMH Foundation is grateful to receive a $10K donation from the Picton Legion Poppy Fund, supporting the campaign to replace an aging digital mammography machine.
Wellington Rotary
December 22, 2025
Wellington Rotary’s Roaring ’20s Fundraiser Strengthens PECM Hospital Foundation with Nearly $7,000 Gift
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
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