PICTON, August 15, 2024 – Next week, when you visit Picton Metro, you may be asked if you want to donate to a worthy cause in the community.

For the fifth year, the Metro store in Picton will launch a two-week fundraising initiative to help the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF) raise funds for the new hospital in Prince Edward County. From Thursday, August 22, until Wednesday, September 4, Metro will ask customers to donate $2 at the cash register to Back the Build.

Last year, the store raised a record-breaking $15,043 for the new hospital campaign. The four-year cumulative total through this fundraiser is over $65,000.

“We could not achieve our goal of building a new, well-equipped hospital for the residents and visitors of Prince Edward County without support from the community and strong corporate partners like Metro,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “This initiative will support the future of health care delivery in our community by helping us raise the $7M we need to equip our new hospital with major medical equipment, such as purchasing a CT Scanner for the first time in our hospital’s history. We are honoured to have the continued support of the hard-working staff and loyal customers at Metro in Picton.”

Metro has been a dedicated partner through this special fundraiser, which engages residents and visitors to Prince Edward County.

“Metro is proud to partner with the foundation for a fifth year,” said Murray Lupenette, store manager of Picton Metro. I am confident that the store employees and our generous customers will come together and exceed expectations again this year. We know firsthand that our employees feel connected to their community, and they remain committed to Backing the Build for our new County hospital.”

As part of this year’s fundraiser, Metro plans to host a barbecue in the store’s parking lot on Saturday, September 7. The proceeds from the barbecue will be included in this year’s result.

“Metro continues to shine in Backing the Build for our new hospital. This initiative of giving at the cash register enables shoppers to contribute to our new hospital even when it’s a couple of dollars. Thank you to everyone who works at or shops at Metro for your continued support and enthusiasm. Metro is an incredible leader in our community,” said Nancy Parks, chairperson of the Back the Build campaign.

“Metro’s employees are passionate and care about this community. The end of summer is a busy time for everyone as we gear up for fall and head back to school, and it’s amazing to see the staff come together and passionately raise funds for our hospital,” said Lupenette.

The new hospital will be the first of its kind in North America and will be equipped with cutting-edge infection control and ventilation, wider halls for modern medical equipment, and enhanced facilities for patient comfort. For more information, visit www.pecmhf.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 people of Prince Edward County and patients of the hospital.

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Photo: Pictured at the Picton Metro store from left: Paul Jones, Metro’s assistant manager; Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign chairperson; Briar Boyce, senior development officer with PECMHF; Sally Cowan, Back the Build campaign cabinet member and Murray Lupenette, Metro’s store manager.

Submitted photo