Last week was National Volunteer Week. It was a week to celebrate the contributions of Canada’s millions of volunteers: their actions, their understanding, and their genuine concern for the world around them.

National Volunteer Week provided me with an opportunity to reflect on the many years of support for our County hospital coming from the heart of our community – volunteer service clubs.

These voluntary, nonprofit organizations demonstrate their commitment to local health care by supporting the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF), and other worthy causes through various fundraising initiatives all year long.

Service clubs are pillars in our community and are a major part of the success and growth of our hospital.

Signs pointing to the work of these clubs can be spotted everywhere - on buildings, at events, and, quite literally, club insignia posted on signs when you drive into Prince Edward County.

Over the Easter weekend, many of you may have enjoyed the return of the annual Waterfalls Tour hosted by the Rotary Club of Picton. This event was open to all in exchange for a donation. This year’s proceeds supported Picton Rotary’s Ukraine relief efforts and PECMHF’s Back the Build campaign for the new hospital.

Another example of service clubs in action are our local Legion branches. Over the last 20 years, PECMHF has been the recipient of $181,250.00, which came largely through proceeds from poppy sales from our three local Legion branches and grants from Provincial Command. That’s a lot of poppies!

These clubs have a proud history of mobilizing community members’ eager to help others, while also offering perks like social gatherings and networking. PECMHF has enjoyed healthy partnerships with over 20 clubs since our beginning in 1985.

What’s also astounding is that for an island community with a population of under 25,000, our County hosts two Rotary Clubs, two Elks Lodges and three Legion branches along with other well-intentioned organizations like the Kiwanis, Lions, Eastern Star, Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs and of course our Women’s Institute branches. There is no shortage of causes to get involved with. Prince Edward County may not be very large, but the volunteer opportunities in this community are endless. My apologies to any clubs I missed mentioning above.

Our County’s service clubs prove themselves to be fierce economic drivers in our community and their good work continues to benefit our hospital. The hard work of these volunteers has resulted in better care for our patients.

Thank you to all members of our service organizations. Volunteers are building communities where people feel happier, healthier, more welcome, and are creating a strong, more connected community.

And because I have the floor, a special shout out goes to the volunteers with the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and our Foundation’s Board of Directors and Campaign Cabinet. Thank you for all YOU do! Our team is thankful for this special group of volunteers who choose to allocate their time and resources to help keep our hospital strong. Throughout COVID-19 we have been missing the interaction we have with our volunteers, but look forward to reconnecting with you all soon.

For those who belong to a club and are looking for guest speakers...give us a call. We would be happy to update your members on hospital happenings.

 As National Volunteer Week concludes, hot on its heels is National Nursing Week. National Nursing Week celebrations take place from the Monday to the Sunday of the same week as Florence Nightingale’s birthday, May 12. Florence Nightingale is best known for establishing principles of modern nursing and hospital sanitation.

In honour of National Nursing Week, PECMHF wishes to express our sincere thanks to the incredible nurses working throughout our community. We often hear stories about the wonderful care they provide to their patients.

For information about our hospital, or to make a donation in honour of Nurses Week call 613 476 1008 ext. 4502, or visit the Foundation’s website at www.pecmhf.ca.