‘Tis the season for reflecting on all the things we are grateful for. With the holidays right around the corner, family, friends, health, and happiness top the list for many of us.

I am thankful to those who are passionate about our hospital and grateful to be part of the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF) team. Our team is so thankful for you – our readers, donors, volunteers, and friends who join us every other week on this column. We are here to keep you updated about our County hospital, and in return, you inspire us. We are endlessly grateful for your loyalty and trust.

I’m incredibly thankful for those dedicated volunteers who allocate their time and resources to help keep our current hospital strong and those who are Backing the Build for our new hospital. When I think about the volunteers in our community, I think of them in terms of the village surrounding our team every day. They encourage and support us in our personal and professional lives, helping us move forward with PECMHF’s mission of advancing health care for the people of Prince Edward County and the hospital’s patients.

Some of these volunteers are also savvy fundraisers.

Many people in the community volunteer to help us raise funds through hosting events that benefit the hospital. These volunteer-run events help us to bring awareness about the exceptional care that is provided at our hospital while strengthening the relationships we have with our donors and members of our community.

One group of volunteers is working hard to Back the Build for our new hospital in a fun and innovative way. These volunteers are with the Prince Edward Curling Club, and they are planning for their second annual 24-hour Curl-A-Thon beginning at noon on January 27, and ending at noon on Sunday, January 28.

PECMHF was swept off its feet in 2023 when the Prince Edward Curling Club raised more than $51,000 for Back the Build from their inaugural Curl-a-Thon last March.

The 24-hour curl-a-thon began on Saturday, March 18, and ended on Sunday, March 19. Ninety-six curlers took to the ice, eight players at a time, in two-hour blocks around the clock to raise funds for the new hospital campaign. Each participant was asked to raise a minimum of $100 in pledges for the cause. The Curl-A-Thon brought together new and experienced curlers from the community to support the hospital foundation through this inaugural event. And they had a lot of fun doing it.

Their goal for next year is to have a minimum of 96 curlers participate. The event is open to current club members and anyone from the community if they are over 18 and sign a waiver. No experience is necessary, and those new to curling will be given a brief introduction to the game and access to the club’s equipment. Head protection, such as helmets, is recommended but not required.

Players will register for a two-hour time slot (typically eight “ends” of curling) and, at that time, will be provided with an official pledge form. All players must collect a minimum of $100 each. Pledge forms and money (cash or cheque only) will be gathered before each time slot on the event day. Pledges for $20.00 or more will receive a tax receipt from PECMHF after the event. 

Registration is open by visiting https://pecurling.com. Participants can choose their time slots based on a first-come, first-served basis. Early registration is recommended to secure the time slot that you would like. Also, every person registered before December 20, 2023, will have their name entered into an early bird draw that will be made at the closing ceremonies.

Local businesses can get in on the action too in the Corporate Challenge component of the event that will run concurrently. Build a team and take on another business in a friendly game.
 
The community is welcome to register as participants or drop by the curling club anytime during the event to check out the festivities and bid on the beautiful silent auction items. For more information on how to register, email info@pecurling.com. 

It has taken a village to realize our dream of building a new hospital. Construction is anticipated to start next summer. We are grateful to our donors for helping us get this far, and we can’t wait to see what else this fantastic community does next!

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