An ‘udder’ day, an ‘udder’ dollar to help Back the Build

Pictured at Prinzhaven Farms from left: Briar Boyce, senior development officer with PECMHF; Kane Rutgers, dairy producer; Tyas deBoef, dairy producer; AJ deBoef, chairperson of the PEC Dairy Producers; Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign co-chair; Greg Elliott, dairy producer; Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation; Phil Prinzen, dairy producer and Sally Cowan, Back the Build campaign cabinet member. Selena Prinzen photo

There was a feeling of deja ‘moo’ in the air as farmers representing local dairy producers and their families presented the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation with a second donation to help Back the Build during a gathering at Prinzhaven Farms in Bloomfield.

AJ deBoef, chairperson of the Prince Edward County Dairy Producer committee presented the $5,000 gift to PECMHF Executive Director Shannon Coull and members of the Back the Build Campaign Cabinet.

This is the second donation the dairy producers have made. Their first was $18,000 in November 2018 and members were one of the first groups to step forward in the campaign.

“In spite of event cancellations due to COVID-19, like the annual youth hockey Milk Tournament and other sporting events, the PEC Dairy Producers recognize we too must pivot along with the rest of our community,” said deBoef. “As a result, we have decided the best way to continue our local support at this time is to give a donation to the PECMH Foundation’s Back the Build campaign.”

Coull said the foundation is grateful to the farmers for their continued support.

“This gift today from the Dairy Producers and their families is helping shape our County’s tomorrow. This gift will go a long way in helping our hospital’s care champions continue to provide exceptional care but in a new, leading edge facility. The Dairy Producers are deeply committed to supporting the community where their families have worked and lived for generations.”

There are 30 dairy producers in Prince Edward County.

“Communities coming together during these difficult times is more important than ever,” said committee member Phil Prinzen. “The Dairy Producers and our families are happy to support the PECMH Foundation as they work to meet their goal for the Back the Build campaign. We know we will all benefit from having a new hospital, close to home. This is just a small way to give back and thank the community, to thank our health care teams and everyone who supports the buying of Canadian dairy products.”

Thanks to the Paul B. Helliwell Foundation, the gift from the dairy producers will be matched two to one, thus tripling their impact.

“The generosity of the dairy producers is not only a reflection of the kindness and compassion shown toward the community they call home, but also demonstrates the importance of this project,” said Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign co-chairperson. “Gifts from local groups, like the dairy producers, speak to the importance of community involvement and the impact it has on the quality of care for those residing in and visiting our County and who use our hospital.”

The Back the Build campaign continues to be a project on the ‘moo-ve’ as the foundation is within $800,000 of reaching its $16.5 million goal to build the new hospital.