PICTON – December 12, 2023 - The Rotary Club of Picton has made good on its promise to support the building of Prince Edward County’s (PEC) new hospital.

In the fall of 2020, the Rotary Club of Picton focused some of its fundraising efforts on the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation’s (PECMHF) Back the Build campaign for the new PEC hospital. Over the past three years, the club has worked diligently to raise funds for the campaign.

Today, Picton Rotarians are pleased to announce that they have fulfilled their $100,000.00 commitment to Back the Build. The announcement occurred at their weekly meeting at the Prince Edward Yacht Club in Picton.

Don Leslie, president of the Rotary Club of Picton, presented Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMHF and Rotarian and PECMHF Board Member Dr. Andy Janikowski, with a final installment of $32,000.00.

A room in the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital will be named to recognize the Club’s fundraising efforts achieved with the community’s generous support. In the presentation, Leslie remarked, “we are grateful to have had so many community members contribute to helping make the Club’s Back the Build aspirations a reality.”

“This generous pledge, which is now realized, brings us another step closer to building our new hospital. A hospital our community needs. We’re grateful to the Rotary Club of Picton for their contributions and community leadership,” said Coull. “The work of the foundation and campaign cabinet would not be possible without our partners in the community and their commitment to making a positive difference as Picton Rotary has.”

To achieve fundraising success, the Rotary Club of Picton generates funds through donations, club activities and high-profile community events.

“I am so proud of our members who have worked hard to achieve this success,” said Leslie. “Our Club has raised these funds by allocating proceeds from the cash calendar sales, through annual events like the Waterfalls Tour, the Lilac Ride, and the golf tournament and its online auction. I want to thank the community who have supported all these club activities and to commend the Rotarians for this amazing achievement.” 

“The foundation’s partnership with the Rotary Club of Picton spans more than 21 years of generosity. Picton Rotary has contributed over $214,000, which has helped fund essential equipment needed at our County hospital and now Backs the Build for our new hospital,” said Coull.

 “The PECMHF Board and Back the Build Campaign Cabinet Members are excited to see this gift for the new hospital fulfilled by the Picton Rotarians,” said Janikowski. “We believe it is important our community continues to have access to the best possible health care. A new hospital will not only replace an aging building but also ensure patients of the hospital continue to have access to quality health care close to home. Our new hospital will be built so those needing medical attention in our community will continue to receive the best care possible in a leading-edge facility thanks partly to Picton Rotary.”

Rotary is a global network of business leaders and professionals who place service to others above self. The Rotary Club of Picton was established on June 7, 1943. They are a vibrant club of approximately 50 members who are recognized as passionate supporters of the Prince Edward County community and can be counted on for both charity and volunteering, locally and internationally.  More information on the Rotary Club of Picton and their fundraising events can be found by visiting www.pictonrotary.ca.

More information about PECMHF’s Back the Build campaign can be found by visiting www.pecmhf.ca.

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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Photo: Pictured at the Prince Edward Yacht Club from left to right, Ian Chan, Rotarian and director of community service; Don Leslie, president of the Rotary Club of Picton; Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation; and Dr. Andy Janikowski, Rotarian and PECMHF Board Member.