Paul B. Helliwell Matching Gift Initiative Fulfilled

Website Editor • October 29, 2021

PICTON, October 29, 2021

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF) is pleased to announce that thanks to the generosity of donors, $500,000 has been raised through a matching gift incentive to help build a new hospital in Prince Edward County.

And, it took less than three months!

This past summer the Paul B. Helliwell Foundation committed to making a 2:1 match for all new donations to Back the Build up to $500,000. Every gift made since June 18, 2021, has been matched by the Paul B. Helliwell Foundation resulting in $1,500,000 for our new County hospital.

“We are incredibly thankful to our community members for their enthusiastic response to supporting this matching gift initiative,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “The donations given to help build our new hospital had three times the impact, thanks to the Paul B. Helliwell Foundation.”

This fundraising initiative set out to inspire community giving. Over 500 donor gifts qualified to receive the 2:1 match.

“Every amount that was donated, big or small, helped PECMHF reach this incredible achievement,” said John Jenah, president of the Paul B. Helliwell Foundation. “It was clear from the start that this community is incredibly supportive of their hospital. The donors that were inspired to give through the match have demonstrated just how much having a new hospital in Prince Edward County means to them. My dear friend Paul Helliwell would be so pleased to know his philanthropic legacy had such an impact in this community.”

In recognition of this 2:1 matching gift, the Dialysis Unit inside the new Quinte Health Care Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (QHC PECMH) will be named in honour of Paul B. Helliwell.

The Dialysis Unit located at QHC PECMH is part of the South East Regional Renal Program at Kingston Health Sciences Centre. This clinic provides dialysis treatment for County residents. Having a dialysis unit available in Picton means patients do not need to travel to Belleville or Kingston for this essential service.

The fulfillment of the matching gift incentive brings us very close to reaching our Back the Build original fundraising goal.

“This significant pledge will be fulfilled over the next few years. It has certainly helped with the success of our campaign and we need to keep the momentum going,” said Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign co-chairperson. “We are nearing the end of this stage of our project and this matching gift has helped to keep the project moving forward. The generosity shown through the Paul B. Helliwell Foundation and the community members who contributed to the match has been absolutely extraordinary.”

Paul Helliwell was born in China to missionary parents. His parents helped shape him into becoming the humanitarian that he was. He was also an entrepreneur, a visionary, an avid sailor, beloved husband and brother who strongly believed in giving back. Paul was a true philanthropist, leaving the bulk of his estate to his foundation to help worthy causes.

The Paul B. Helliwell Foundation has supported many health care facilities including Sick Kids, Humber River Hospital and the Toronto General Hospital.

“Thanks to the generosity and financial support of the Paul B. Helliwell Foundation, everyone associated with this new hospital will benefit,” said Jenah. “It is my belief that when doctors, nurses and staff are given the proper tools and proper environment as they will be in this case, they will invariably excel at their craft and care for the public. I believe that with higher quality premises and tools, not only will the quality of patient care increase but they will aid in attracting higher quality staff of all levels.”

A ground breaking for the new QHC PECMH is expected to happen in 2024. The Back the Build campaign gives the community a chance to invest in the hospital our County needs for the future. Donations can be made online at www.backthebuild.ca.

Thanks to Paul B. Helliwell’s tremendous forethought, QHC PECMH’s patients, health care professionals and the community will benefit from his legacy for many years to come.

“It is amazing what can be accomplished when we work together,” said Coull. “Donors should never underestimate the impact they have. Every gift, no matter the size, gets us closer to our goal of having a new hospital in Prince Edward County and every donor brings our community closer together.”

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.