It seems there is an increasing desire to slow folks down to get out of The County. At least that's how it feels to me living in the south end. I am frustrated!

My away trips usually take me west across Schoharie Road to Wooler Road to join up with Highway 401. It used to take 45 minutes. Now it takes an hour. I have been grateful for the fixes on the roads that take me “over the top.” Crowe's Road, Old Milford Road, Kingsley Crossroad up by the old airport hangers to County Rd 22. Otherwise, it means travelling via Cherry Valley or Picton. That adds an extra 15 minutes and doing the 50-60-80 bit. At Sandy Hook I occasionally have the helpful presence of an OPP cruiser to ensure I stay at 60kph for what seems like well, a long way. I recall a dear friend getting stopped on that stretch as she discussed with her teen how to wrap my birthday present – a stuffed 5-foot puppet giraffe. Distracted – she was doing 90. A pricey gift it turned out to be! Oops – now I'm distracted...

In my time on Council, if a road was posted downward to 50kph, it meant that before you could get back to 80kph, a 60kph zone had to be added. I just didn't get it. The logic given was that it was a Ministry of Transportation rule that had been added since vehicles couldn't go from 80 to 50 that quickly. Really - when cars were coming off the line that could go from zero to 80 in less than 10 seconds. So what's my point here?

2021 marked my tenth year on the Prince Edward County Hospital Foundation Board. As I look back, I see an organization that has gone from 50kph to 80kph with a brief 60kph space. It's become one of those sparky community vehicles that has been redesigned to deliver consistently better. When COVID arrived, the Foundation board and staff asked the question, “Do we wait this out or continue fundraising for a new hospital and our ongoing equipment needs?” The answer was unanimous – YES. That attitude has been built into our 2021-2026 Strategic Plan.

Our Strategic Plan speaks to building a “philanthropic community.” It speaks to helping other organizations, as we help our own, by sharing best practices and nurturing a community of donors for all kinds of elements that make our community the place we want to live and be engaged. If this community can build a new hospital, consider what else it can do with your support! We could have dropped our speed back to 50 and played it “careful” or cruised gently through 60 waiting for COVID to end to finally get back to 80. Thanks to our donors, we're pushing to a new hospital at almost my friend's 90kph – without the ticket! “Are we there yet?” Not quite – it's a bit further to our destination on this road trip!

COVID has been so tough on many of our local and loved organizations. Through our Strategic Plan, we acknowledge the PECMH Foundation is part of a broad network of volunteer and staff folks that work to make our community strong, vibrant and healthy. We are, alone and together, as mighty as our donors who support us. As we tumble into this yet another COVID year, thank you so much for your ongoing support.

Please keep your foot on the accelerator for giving in those places that matter to you and as you are able.

For information about our hospital, or to make a donation call 613 476 1008 ext. 4502, or visit the foundation’s website at www.pecmhf.ca.