One of the Rotary Club of Wellington’s most dedicated volunteers has won a special award from the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation.
David Smith is the 2024 recipient of the Leo Finnegan Distinguished Service Award.
PECMHF former board member Leo Finnegan and Executive Director Shannon Coull presented this year’s award at the board’s annual meeting in Picton on June 27.
Smith is the third recipient of the Leo Finnegan Distinguished Service Award which was named after its first recipient and is presented to individuals who have shown dedication to and support for the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation.
Smith has led the way in Wellington Rotary’s commitment to the Back the Build campaign for a new hospital.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to formally recognize the achievements of such an exceptional and dedicated volunteer, David Smith,” said Coull. “David has provided sustained service, unwavering commitment and philanthropic leadership to PECMHF’s Back the Build campaign through the Rotary Club of Wellington, and it is fitting that he has been selected to be honoured with this award.”
Smith’s nomination was advanced by Back the Build Campaign Chairperson Nancy Parks and Mike Lattner, a past president of the Rotary Club of Wellington. Parks stated Smith focused on the Rotary Club of Wellington’s campaign to raise funds to Back the Build for a new hospital in Prince Edward County.
Smith advocated for the new hospital and has inspired others to do the same.
“When preparing to submit this nomination, David stood out to me as an individual who has tirelessly given his time and efforts, with tenacity, to secure a fantastic amount of funds for our new hospital (over six years),” she said. “He has worked alongside our campaign cabinet team to support our conversations with individuals and businesses, opening doors for further discussion with possible donors.”
Smith initiated and sustained Wellington Rotary’s commitment to Back the Build for several years. He and his wife Shirley also contributed personally to the campaign. He truly exemplifies the skills, qualities, and actions of the Leo Finnegan Distinguished Service Award, which inspired Lattner to co-nominate with Parks.
“David was the driving force behind Wellington Rotary’s donation of more than $444,000 for a new Prince Edward County hospital,” said Lattner. “David encouraged contacts and friends to contribute to the new hospital and many to pledge annual commitments. In addition, he was instrumental in helping Wellington Rotary to partner with local wineries to produce and sell Wellington Rotary private label wine as a fundraiser for Back the Build. David ensured that a significant portion of the proceeds from our bottle depot were donated to the new hospital annually.”
David Smith worked hard to convince the Rotary Club that they could achieve their donation goal and provided the drive and inspiration to make that happen. David has demonstrated integrity, professionalism, and dedication in all his work.
“I am honoured to be receiving this award today. It is fitting that this award, named for Leo Finnegan, would be presented to a Wellington Rotarian as Leo was instrumental in bringing Rotary to Wellington over 22 years ago. His Picton club sponsored our club to join Rotary,” said Smith. “I want to make it clear that I am being recognized with this award for being the person who introduced the idea to the Wellington Rotary Club of raising money for the new hospital, the catalyst, and then helping to do so. The Club then ran with the idea of making it the success it has become. This has been an extremely rewarding experience, and I want to thank my wife, Shirley, for her support. I also thank my nominators and the PECMH Foundation for this significant recognition.”
LFDSA group from left: Leo Finnegan; Peggy Payne, chairperson of the PECMH Foundation; David Smith, winner of the 2024 LFDSA; Mike Lattner, co-nominator, and Wellington Rotarian; and Nancy Parks, co-nominator, and Back the Build campaign chairperson. (Photo:
Credit: Briar Boyce)
