PICTON, September 20, 2021 – A Picton grocery store has once again shown what partnership in action looks like by giving residents and visitors a chance to give to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation’s (PECMHF) Back the Build campaign.

Metro Inc has proudly announced a donation of $17,000 from the cash register round-up promotion held between July 28, 2022, and August 10, 2022. This gift brings the three-year total raised to $50,482.84.

The 2022 Round Up campaign exceeded last year’s total raised of $16,681. Metro Inc has also committed to hold the same fundraiser again next summer.

In making this multi-year commitment to the PECMH Foundation, Metro builds on the long-standing support for the PECMH Foundation from the local business community. Metro’s head office and the employees working at the Picton store continue to define ‘exceptional’ with their amazing act of kindness and leadership for this important campaign to build and equip a hospital in Prince Edward County.

“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’s $6M equipment campaign demonstrates this store’s dedication to our community. Thank you to Metro, Murray Lupenette, and his entire team for working so hard to raise these funds.”

The store’s campaign also included a barbecue in the store’s parking lot. Staffed by the Picton Firefighters Association, the barbecue added $1,200 to the total raised.

This support from Metro will directly impact the future of health care delivery in Prince Edward County by supporting priority equipment purchases such as the X-Ray machine and CT Scanner. The grocery retailer is thrilled to be extending their partnership with the PECMH Foundation.

“Metro is proud to host this in-store fundraiser that engages both residents of and visitors to Prince Edward County,” said Murray Lupenette, store manager at Picton Metro. “As for money raised this summer, I give all the credit for this donation to the store employees and our generous and loyal customers. Together, they raised the money at the registers and those donations will stay 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 Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign chairperson. “Metro’s leadership is another excellent example of the team effort underway across Prince Edward County to equip our new hospital with leading edge equipment. We could not achieve this goal without support from the community and corporate partners like Metro.”

“The impact of this campaign has been felt deep in the hearts and homes of the local community we serve,” said Paul Jones, assistant store manager of Picton Metro. “I am proud of my incredible staff team and thankful to our customers for their generosity.”

Plans are well underway for a 96Ksqft hospital with 20 in-patient beds. The new hospital will have leading edge infection control and ventilation, wider halls for modern medical equipment, and larger patient rooms each with its own washroom.

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. Based on current projected timelines, the new hospital will be completed in 2027. More information can be found by visiting www.backthebuild.ca.

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to raising funds to advance health care for the patients of the hospital and the people of Prince Edward County.

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