Metro Makes Summer Generosity Shine

Website Editor • August 28, 2020

PICTON, August 28, 2020

It’s a summer to let generosity shine and a Picton retailer has certainly felt the warmth during their recent in-store fundraising campaign to help Back the Build for a new hospital in Prince Edward County.

Metro Inc has proudly announced a donation of $11,650 from the cash register round up promotion held between July 30, 2020 and August 13, 2020. In addition, Metro Inc will give a Top Up Donation of $5000, bringing the total to $16,650 for the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation’s campaign to build a new hospital. Metro Inc has also committed to hold the same fundraiser annually for the next three years.

In making this three-year commitment to the PECMH Foundation, Metro builds on long-standing support for the Foundation from the local business community. Metro’s head office and the employees working at the Picton store are defining ‘exceptional’ this summer with their amazing act of kindness and leadership for this important campaign.

“Metro embodies the spirit of generosity that defines our County,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “This wonderful contribution to our new hospital is a demonstration of this store’s dedication to our community and their commitment to giving back. I thank Metro, Murray and his entire team for coming forward with this gift and I am confident their leadership will inspire other local businesses to do the same.”

This support from Metro will directly impact the future of health care delivery in Prince Edward County. The grocery retailer is thrilled to be extending their partnership with the PECMH Foundation.

“Metro is proud to announce a multi-year financial commitment over the next three years towards the new hospital build,” said Andre Gagne, Vice President, Metro. “As for money raised this summer, I give all the credit for this donation to the store employees and our generous and local customers. Together, they raised the money at the registers and it is important to them that the funds raised stays in their community.”

“Thank you to Metro for their commitment to community building. This gift will help transform care for our family, friends, neighbours and visitors to Prince Edward County,” said Dennis Darby, Back the Build campaign co-chair. “This is another excellent example of the team effort underway across Prince Edward County to help get this hospital built.”

“The impact of this campaign has been felt deep in the hearts and homes of the local community we serve,” said Murray Lupenette. “I am incredibly proud of our staff and thankful to our customers for their generosity.”

With state-of-the-art design and infrastructure, the new hospital will offer the same services as today in a better space. 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 responsible for raising the local share portion of the build, which is $16.5M.

With Fall just around the corner, Metro looks forward to working with parents and guardians as they begin preparing for their children to return to school.

About METRO Inc.

With annual sales of more than $16 billion, METRO Inc. is a food and pharmacy leader in Québec and Ontario. As a retailer, franchisor, distributor, and manufacturer, the company operates or services a network of some 950 food stores under several banners including Metro, Metro Plus, Super C and Food Basics, as well as some 650 drugstores primarily under the Jean Coutu, Brunet, Metro Pharmacy and Food Basics Pharmacy banners, providing employment to almost 90,000 people. For more details, visit corpo.metro.ca.

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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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.