June has come and gone. For me, it signaled the start of summer and brought with it an infectious energy that had me enjoying longer days and warmer weather! June ushered in the summer season and brought with it an abundance of sunshine, growth, and endless possibilities.

June was also a beautiful month at the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF) with so many reasons to celebrate.

The sun was hot, the days were long, and the nights were warm. June was the perfect time to embrace the simple joys of life. My family did just that on June 17 when my Uncle Bob and Aunt Flo celebrated their 25^th wedding anniversary. Over 100 of their closest friends and family members gathered in Wellington to celebrate this special milestone. My aunt and uncle took it one step further and turned their silver soiree into a fundraiser to Back the Build for our new County hospital. Over $1,100 was raised and I got to dance the Macarena with my cousins.

Adding a dose of positivity to the month was the Hineman family of Picton.

Recently, our team met about a dozen members of the late Clayton Hineman’s family. The family collectively raised $5,000 in honour of his 90^th birthday that took place on June 20. The family chose to donate the funds to the hospital foundation as PECMH was where Clayton worked for 17.5 years in the housekeeping department. Clayton loved his job and his colleagues who he felt strived to make PECMH a home away from home.

Because of the affinity Clayton had for his beloved hospital, his family felt it was important to invest in keeping it well equipped for future generations of staff members (including Clayton’s grandson Nic who works in the Diagnostic Imaging Department and has benefitted from having a new x-ray machine, paid for through donations).

Weddings, birthdays, and graduation days are some of the biggest milestones in our lives. PECMHF’s commemorative giving program provides a unique opportunity to pay tribute to family and friends while supporting our hospital.

Whether you’re turning nine or 90, having a 25^th wedding anniversary or retirement party – choosing to designate donations to PECMHF in lieu of gifts make a difference. Every single donation helps our hospital’s Care Champions save lives. Have a birthday coming up? Consider asking for donations to make your big day even more special.

Alternatively, you could donate in honour of someone else’s special day.

Whatever the occasion, a donation is helping to ensure our dedicated medical team continues to have access to the tools they need to provide you and your loved ones with exceptional care, close to home.

Last year, commemorative donations alone helped PECMHF raise over $108,000. Some of those funds helped purchase medical equipment and some are helping to Back the Build for our new hospital.

Donations made through our commemorative giving program allows donors to share the joy of a wedding, birthday, graduation, or anniversary. It also allows donors to express sympathy on the passing of a loved one.

Commemorative donations can also be made for other reasons such as an act of kindness, a bit of good luck, or just to let someone know you are thinking about them.

When you make a commemorative gift, PECMHF will send a card to the individual or family to let them know you have made a gift in their honour. To protect your privacy, we never disclose the amount of your donation.

If you’re looking for a way to celebrate somebody special in your life, or to commemorate a milestone like a birthday or anniversary, consider making a gift to the foundation. It is a unique way to honour that extraordinary someone while making a difference in our community.

For information about our hospital, or to donate call 613 476 1008 ext. 4502 or visit our website at www.pecmhf.ca.