Rotary Club of Wellington fulfils pledge to Back the Build

Rotary Club of Wellington, ensuring a healthy future for the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital

bboyce • June 22, 2022

Wellington, June 21, 2022 - The Rotary Club of Wellington has made good on their promise to support the building of Prince Edward County’s (PEC) new hospital.

It was in the Spring of 2017 that the Rotary Club of Wellington first voted to focus some of its fundraising efforts towards the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation’s (PECMHF) Back the Build campaign for the new PEC hospital. Over the past five years this support coalesced into an actual goal to raise $400,000 as the Club’s contribution.

Today, Wellington Rotarians are pleased to announce the exciting news they have exceeded that $400,000 target by raising $409,500! The announcement took place at their Annual Past President’s dinner in Wellington.

David Smith, President of the Wellington Rotary Club Foundation, and outgoing Club President Trudy Brown, presented Shannon Coull, executive Director of the PECMHF and Nancy Parks, co-chairperson of the Back the Build campaign a final cheque of $309,500- as the Club presented their first $100,000 installment in 2020.

The waiting area in the Emergency Department of the new QHC Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital will be named in recognition of the Club’s fundraising efforts achieved with the community’s generous support. In making the presentation Smith remarked, “We are grateful to have had so many community members contribute to helping make the Club’s “Back the Build” aspirations a reality.”

“This pledge helped us to raise the $20.7 Million that was announced recently. This generous gift, that is now realized, brings us another step closer to building our new hospital. A hospital our community needs. We’re grateful to the Rotary Club of Wellington for their contributions and community leadership,” said Coull. “Their dedication to philanthropy and commitment to inspire others is a true reflection of their strong values of giving back as a Club and bringing our community together to provide the best possible care, close to home.”

To achieve fundraising success, the Rotary Club of Wellington generates funds through donations, club activities and high profile community events.

“I am so proud of our members who have worked so hard to achieve this success”, said outgoing Rotary Club of Wellington President, Trudy Brown. “Our Club has generated these funds via solicited donations, by allocating proceeds from the bottle return depot, and by conducting various fundraising activities. Over the years, these have included dinner/dance events, special Rotary Label wine and maple syrup sales, and an online auction. We want to thank the PEC community who have supported all these club activities and to commend the Club members for this amazing achievement.”

“We believe it is important our community continues to have access to the best possible health care. A new hospital will not only replace an aging building, it will ensure patients of the hospital continue to have access to quality health care, close to home,” said Smith.

“The Campaign Cabinet Members are excited to see this gift for the new hospital fulfilled by the Wellington Rotarians,” said Parks. “Philanthropic Clubs such as Rotary play a significant role as they help to shape how health care will be delivered in our community for years to come. Our new hospital will be built so those needing medical attention in our community will continue to receive the best care possible in a leading edge facility thanks in part to Wellington Rotary.”

Now, Wellington Rotary’s efforts have turned to supporting priority equipment needed at QHC PECMH. The return of their annual fundraising dinner on October 15 will support the purchase of the Automated Endoscope Reprocessor that cleans and disinfects scopes as well as an Echocardiogram Machine needed for heart monitoring in the Emergency Department. The theme of the dinner is “Happy Days Are Here Again” and more information can be found by visiting https://www.wellingtonrotary.ca/.

The Rotary Club of Wellington will celebrate its 20th Anniversary in November 2022. They are a vibrant club of 43 members who engage in both social and volunteer activities to support each other and the community, as well as international and emergency relief efforts. Rotarians are a true “service” club – having also consistently stepped up to calls for local volunteers at Covid-19 clinics, driving for Meals on Wheels, Millennium Trail improvements and Marathon Race safety crews.

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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Pictured at the Wellington on the Lake Recreation Centre from left: David Smith, president of the Wellington Rotary Club Foundation; Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation; Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign co-chairperson and Trudy Brown, immediate past president of the Wellington Rotary Club.

Photo credit: Dave Robinet

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Andara Gallery's Annual 'Holiday Photo in the Barn' moves to the Eddie Hotel and Farm

October 31, 2025

BLOOMFIELD, October 28, 2025 – What began as a way to bring isolated people together safely to make cherished holiday memories during the Covid pandemic … grew over 5 years resulting in over 3,000 people (and countless pets) being photographed at ANDARA Gallery’s annual “Holiday Photo in the Barn” event … raising over $35,000 for the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation. Today, Tara Wilkinson and Andrew Csafordi are proud to announce that this beloved program will be transitioning over to The Eddie Farm & Hotel for the 2025 Holiday season … and beyond. “We have loved every minute of our five years hosting this special holiday fundraiser! The program has grown so much and now requires more energy and resources. We couldn’t be more thrilled to hand the reins of this beautiful annual tradition over to the stewardship of Alex Portman and Michael von Teichman at The Eddie Hotel and Farm … the epitome of “Christmas in the County”. We know their team will do a great job continuing this treasured tradition for County residents and visitors in support of our beloved hospital”, said Tara Wilkinson, co-owner of ANDARA Gallery. Artists Tara and Andrew will continue to focus on creating, exhibiting and selling contemporary fine art paintings, photography, digital art and ceramics year-round from their colourful ANDARA Gallery - named one of Ontario’s Top 10 Best Art Galleries by TripAdvisor earlier this year. ANDARA Gallery’s upcoming holiday art show and sale, “LUMINOUS” will run November 15th through December 6th and then December 16th to 23rd from 11 AM to 5 PM. For more information, visit www.andaragallery.com. The 6th Annual “Holiday Photo in the Barn” event will take place at its new location, The Eddie Hotel and Farm located at 15786 Loyalist Parkway (between Bloomfield and Wellington) in Prince Edward County … Thursdays through Sundays between Noon and 6 PM starting on Thursday, December 4th and running through Sunday, December 21st, 2025. The event will now be known as “Holiday Photos at The Red Barn”. Residents and visitors can now make an advance reservation for their group photo time through www.theeddie.ca/holiday-photo-in-the-barn. Guests will check in a Nellie’s Cheese Shop located in The Red Barn where they can make their donation to PECMH Foundation’s “Back the Build” campaign, purchase a snack, hot chocolate, mulled cider and other holiday gifts. You then bring your own fully charged camera and choose from one of 3 photo areas in and around The Red Barn. Eddie staff will be available to assist with taking your photo or you can use one of the iphone camera stands available at each photo location. All they ask in return is for a donation to PECMH Foundation’s “Back the Build” campaign. “We suggest a donation of $10 per group, but a larger donation is welcome if you can afford it, and less is fine if you can’t” says Alex. An income tax receipt will be issued by the PECMHF for all donations over $100. To make your reservation for the 6th Annual “Holiday Photo in the Barn” event at The Eddie Hotel and Farm, go to www.theeddie.ca/holiday-photo-in-the-barn. “We are delighted to be taking over the annual “Holiday Photo in the Barn” event from Tara and Andrew at ANDARA Gallery and bringing it to The Eddie Hotel and Farm. It seemed like such a good fit since our property is already so decorated after The Red Barn Holiday Market - which takes place the last weekend of November each year. We loved the idea of people being able to capture their family memories over the years against the backdrop of “The Eddie”, says says Alex Portman, Co-owner of The Eddie Hotel and Farm. “We are delighted to continue this wonderful tradition of providing such a joyful experience for our community that brings people together to create holiday memories while raising much needed funds for the new hospital,” says Michael Von Teichman, Co-Owner of The Eddie Hotel and Farm. “Thank you to Andrew and Tara of ANDARA Gallery and everyone who has supported this event over the past five years. We look forward to continuing this wonderful holiday tradition with Alex and Mike at The Eddie Hotel and Farm. No matter the size, every donation makes a difference in the care you and your family will receive in our new hospital,” said Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign chairperson. “We look forward to everyone coming out to support this festive fundraiser again this year as we work to modernize and enhance health care services to ensure people living in and visiting our community continue to have access to care close to home.” The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to raising funds to advance health care for the people of Prince Edward County and patients of the hospital. -30- PHOTO CAPTION: (L-R) Holiday Photo in the Barn Founders and ANDARA Gallery Co-Owners, Andrew Csafordi and Tara Wilkinson, celebrate the transition of their annual fundraiser over to The Eddie Hotel and Farm in Prince Edward County with (Centre) Nancy Parks, PECMHF Back the Build Chairperson and (R), the Eddie’s Co-Owners, Michael von Teichman and Alex Portman. Photo Credit: Staff, The Eddie Hotel and Farm.

Partners in Pink Golf Tournament a Swinging Success

October 28, 2025

The inaugural Partners in Pink Golf Tournament, held on October 9, was a swinging success, raising just over $64,000

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 160 Supports Mammography Campaign

October 17, 2025

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH) Foundation is grateful to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 160 in Wellington for their generous $3,000 grant from the Poppy Fund to support the purchase of a new mammography machine for our new hospital.

Leaving a Legacy of Care for Generations to Come

October 15, 2025

PECMH Foundation Planned Giving - Merrial Leslie built a full and meaningful life rooted in love, hard work, and community.

Community Spirit Shines as Bake Off Breaks Fundraising Record

September 24, 2025

Community Spirit Shines as Bake Off Breaks Fundraising Record PICTON, September 24, 2025 – The sweet smell of success filled the air at the Picton Fair as the 16th annual Bake Off Challenge raised a record-breaking $18,700 for the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF). With more than 50 entries and enthusiastic bidding, the community once again proved that a passion for baking can translate into life-changing support for local health care. Proceeds will go toward the purchase of a digital mammography machine, a critical tool for early breast cancer detection. Since 2007, the Prince Edward Agricultural Society, who host the Bake Off has raised over $64,500 for the hospital. This year’s event included a special one-time memorial apple pie category in honour of the late Deputy Fire Chief Jim Young, who was the inaugural Bake Off winner in 2007 with his unforgettable apple pie. A total of 26 apple pies were entered in his honour, raising an incredible $8,250 on their own. Jim’s parents, Colleen and Murray, and daughters, Dahnon and Kendyl, were present to celebrate his legacy. Entries were judged by Ken Menlove, a local lawyer; Jordan Smart with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Auxiliary Unit; Mike Roy, a community member; and Chris Malette, MP for Bay of Quinte. The auction produced plenty of highlights. Firefighter Autumn Benlap’s Caramel Apple Spice Cheesecake topped the apple pie category and sold to Dr. Sarah Waterston, and Elizabeth Lodge’s Lemon Cream Pie, named best overall pie, sold to Herman Prinzen. “The Bake Off is more than a fundraiser — it’s a celebration of community spirit and generosity,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “This year’s proceeds will support the purchase of a new digital mammography machine for the new County hospital, and we are so grateful to every baker, bidder, and volunteer who made that possible.” “The Bake Off has become a highlight of the Picton Fair, and it’s inspiring to see how much it has grown,” said Susan Harrington, president of the Picton Fair Board. “The generosity of our community never ceases to amaze us. Thank you to everyone who baked, bid, or volunteered to make this year such a success.” The Agricultural Society also expressed its gratitude to the many individuals and local businesses who made the event possible. “There’s something truly special about seeing friends, neighbours, and businesses come together over pies and cakes to support health care,” said Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign chairperson. “This event proves that even the simplest of traditions can make a lasting impact on our community.” The Foundation is proud of its longstanding partnership with the Agricultural Society and looks forward to welcoming everyone back to next year’s Picton Fair. The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to raising funds to advance health care for the people of Prince Edward County and patients of the hospital.