SUBMITTED BY THE PECMHF
The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation celebrated the successes of their 2018/19 year at their annual general meeting today at the Wellington Legion Branch 160.
The meeting highlighted work over the past year the Foundation, and its donors have been doing. This work included raising funds to provide state-of-the-art equipment at PECMH and to help build the new hospital. In total, the Foundation raised in excess of $1M in cash donations during the 2018/19 fiscal year for the first time in the organization’s history.
This past year, the Hospital Foundation has been able to fund a number of pieces of essential equipment; two ventilators, a pediatric monitor, large volume infusion pumps as well as two colonoscopes and two gastroscopes for the regional Endoscopy Centre located here at Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital.
“This past fiscal year, thanks to the overwhelming support of our donors and partners, we transferred $351,541 to Quinte Health Care; $196,116 was for medical equipment purchases for our County Hospital and $155,425 was for expenses related to Stage 1 capital planning for the new hospital,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the Foundation. “The generosity of our supporters is inspiring and heartwarming – you are all truly making a difference in the lives of our patients and their families right here in Prince Edward County.”
In addition to the purchase of priority equipment, the Foundation’s Back the Build campaign for the new hospital is full steam ahead as the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation works towards meeting the goal to raise $16.5M for the new hospital over the next five years.
Coull acknowledges that while $16.5M is an ambitious goal, fundraising is well underway. The Campaign Cabinet is in place and actively seeking donations. The Foundation team is looking forward to announcing the members of the Campaign Cabinet in the near future.
“We have raised just over $11 million in commitments, leaving us with $5.5 million to go. We’re off to a great start,” she said.
Along with the release of the Foundation’s audited financial results, the group elected three new directors to its board, bringing the slate to 15. New directors included Dr. Cliff Rice, Sherry Tait, David Griffith and Art Hewer on behalf of the PECMH Auxiliary. They join returning directors, Monica Alyea, Peter Brady, Dennis Darby, Pat Evans, Leo Finnegan, Sandra Foreman, Barbara McConnell, Ken Menlove, Cline Pierson, Donald Wakefield and John Walker.
Retiring from the board were Fran Donaldson, Lillian Duffy, Sue Law, Dr. Michael Shannon and Paul Gallagher. The Foundation is grateful for the commitment of talent and time these Directors gave to our hospital in the pursuit of raising funds to advance health care for our patients.
At the general meeting directly following the annual general meeting, Barbara McConnell was elected Chair of the Foundation replacing Monica Alyea, who completed her three-year term. Alyea remains a director on the Board. McConnell has committed to a two-year term as Chairperson. Pat Evans was elected vice chair.
“Monica has been a valued member of our Board of Directors since 2011 and our Chair since June 2016. We thank Monica for her commitment to our County Hospital and look forward to her remaining on the board as we work to build a new hospital in Prince Edward County,” said Coull. “We are pleased to welcome Barbara as Chair of the Foundation for the next two years. Barbara has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2018 and volunteered with our Foundation for several years prior to joining. Her strength in leadership and strategic communications will be of great benefit to our Foundation.”
The Foundation is excited for what’s in store for our 2019/20 year as it is challenged with raising almost $400,000 for medical equipment purchases at PECMH while raising funds for the new hospital.
“I’m very proud to be part of the philanthropic community that supports our County Hospital. I’ve witnessed our hospital provide outstanding care to so many in our community. When illness strikes, we need effective health care and we want to ensure the latest technical and diagnostic services are available in Prince Edward County now and for years to come. It’s comforting to know that a great hospital with fine facilities is nearby, staffed and equipped to make a difference,” said Coull.
The PECMH Foundation’s audited financial statements will be available online beginning July 3 at http://pecmhf.ca/about/documents/
“Our success last year would not be possible without the generosity of our community and our donors. We brought in close to 600 first time donors who we welcome to our donor family! As for the donors who have been longstanding members of our Foundation’s family, thank you for your continued support and commitment to the health of our hospital. Your partnership and confidence in our organization is greatly appreciated,” said Coull.
To make a donation or for more information, you can contact the Foundation at 613-476-1008 ext. 4425, drop by the hospital or donate securely online at www.pecmhf.ca
The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation is a charitable organization whose mission is to raise money to advance health care for the people of Prince Edward County.
Barbara McConnell, the Foundation’s newly elected chairperson thanks Monica Alyea for her three years chairing the Foundation. Monica will continue to serve on the board as a director.
(New Board) At back from left: John Walker, director, Peter Brady, director, Ken Menlove, director, Pat Evans, vice chair, Dr. Cliff Rice, director, David Griffith, director, Sherry Tait, director, Dennis Darby, director and Shannon Coull, executive director Seated from left in front: Briar Boyce, communications co-ordinator, Donald Wakefield, secretary, Barbara McConnell, chairperson, Monica Alyea, past chair, Leo Finnegan, director Absent: Cline Pierson, Sandra Foreman and Art Hewer
