Philanthropy in Action

bboyce • October 28, 2022

Philanthropy in Action

By Briar Boyce

November 15 is a special day for the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF) and for our charitable partners across the region – it’s National Philanthropy Day.


This day signifies the importance of working together for the common good and to recognize the great contributions of philanthropy including those people active in the philanthropic community, whether they are paid fundraisers, volunteers, service organizations, or donors themselves.


Philanthropy, as I am learning, takes many forms and is a core value behind so many of PECMHF’s strong partnerships within the community.


Recently, one of the foundation’s strongest partners, the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary generously offered to make a 1:1 match on all gifts to PECMHF’s equipment fund up to $150,000.


For every dollar raised, the auxiliary will donate $1.00. The goal is to raise $150,000 from the community and the auxiliary will donate $150,000. This matching incentive applies to new gifts received from now until January 31, 2023, and will be used towards the purchase of an x-ray machine needed at our County hospital.


Contributions made through this matching gift campaign will ensure our hospital has access to leading edge medical devices so patients in our region do not have to travel to other facilities for this service.


The foundation is raising $595,000 to purchase this new machine. This diagnostic imaging device will be used in the current hospital and will transition into Prince Edward County’s new hospital in 2027.


This year, in honour of National Philanthropy Day, and the great work of our hospital auxiliary, I encourage you to make a contribution that is meaningful to you to the foundation’s x-ray campaign and have it matched by the auxiliary.


You can be a part of philanthropy in action and join donors from across the region who are making charitable contributions in support of keeping our hospital well equipped. If you are inspired to join this community of supporters, I hope you will consider participating in National Philanthropy Day by giving one of the greatest gifts of all, the gift of health.


You can also watch for our County-wide mail drop happening later this month via Canada Post that outlines the match and provides an opportunity to give. Every gift to our Christmas appeal will be doubled!


As a side note, Remembrance Day is fast approaching. Our local Legion branches are also an important philanthropic partner to our foundation. I hope you remember to wear a poppy and give what you can to the poppy fund. In the last decade, PECMHF has been the recipient of over $117,000 in equipment funding, which comes largely through poppy sales from our local Legion branches. This is another amazing example of philanthropy in action. We are grateful for the incredible veterans and Legion members living in our community.


Having the right equipment in the right hands means that patient care remains first-rate at our hospital. Please consider helping us by making a financial contribution to the x-ray machine and have your gift matched by the auxiliary this holiday season.


Together, we can show what a difference we can make when we work together. To make a donation, and have it matched by the auxiliary, visit our website at www.pecmhf.ca or call 613-476-1008 ext. 4502.



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The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH) Foundation is grateful to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 160 in Wellington for their generous $3,000 grant from the Poppy Fund to support the purchase of a new mammography machine for our new hospital.
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Community Spirit Shines as Bake Off Breaks Fundraising Record PICTON, September 24, 2025 – The sweet smell of success filled the air at the Picton Fair as the 16th annual Bake Off Challenge raised a record-breaking $18,700 for the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF). With more than 50 entries and enthusiastic bidding, the community once again proved that a passion for baking can translate into life-changing support for local health care. Proceeds will go toward the purchase of a digital mammography machine, a critical tool for early breast cancer detection. Since 2007, the Prince Edward Agricultural Society, who host the Bake Off has raised over $64,500 for the hospital. This year’s event included a special one-time memorial apple pie category in honour of the late Deputy Fire Chief Jim Young, who was the inaugural Bake Off winner in 2007 with his unforgettable apple pie. A total of 26 apple pies were entered in his honour, raising an incredible $8,250 on their own. Jim’s parents, Colleen and Murray, and daughters, Dahnon and Kendyl, were present to celebrate his legacy. Entries were judged by Ken Menlove, a local lawyer; Jordan Smart with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Auxiliary Unit; Mike Roy, a community member; and Chris Malette, MP for Bay of Quinte. The auction produced plenty of highlights. Firefighter Autumn Benlap’s Caramel Apple Spice Cheesecake topped the apple pie category and sold to Dr. Sarah Waterston, and Elizabeth Lodge’s Lemon Cream Pie, named best overall pie, sold to Herman Prinzen. “The Bake Off is more than a fundraiser — it’s a celebration of community spirit and generosity,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “This year’s proceeds will support the purchase of a new digital mammography machine for the new County hospital, and we are so grateful to every baker, bidder, and volunteer who made that possible.” “The Bake Off has become a highlight of the Picton Fair, and it’s inspiring to see how much it has grown,” said Susan Harrington, president of the Picton Fair Board. “The generosity of our community never ceases to amaze us. Thank you to everyone who baked, bid, or volunteered to make this year such a success.” The Agricultural Society also expressed its gratitude to the many individuals and local businesses who made the event possible. “There’s something truly special about seeing friends, neighbours, and businesses come together over pies and cakes to support health care,” said Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign chairperson. “This event proves that even the simplest of traditions can make a lasting impact on our community.” The Foundation is proud of its longstanding partnership with the Agricultural Society and looks forward to welcoming everyone back to next year’s Picton Fair. 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 patients of the hospital. 
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PECMH Foundation Celebrates Record-breaking Fundraising Year - The PECMH Foundation reported that the community stepped forward to help raise over $6.2 million in the 2024/25 fiscal year ending on March 31.
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