Auxiliary is multi-million dollar jewel in County hospital’s crown

Prince Edward County’s Hospital Auxiliary has become a multi-million dollar jewel in the memorial hospital’s fundraising crown.

The women, and a few good men, of the auxiliary for Prince Edward County’s hospital were applauded Thursday for donating more than $1 million and becoming the first “Humanitarian” level members of the donor wall.

Auxiliary president Liz Jones presented $150,000 to Penny Rolinski, the hospital’s foundation executive director and its chairman Leo Finnegan to move the organization past the million dollar mark in total donations gifted to the foundation and tracked by the donor wall since 1999. Since the Women’s Hospital Auxiliary formed in October 27, 1934, members have contributed well over $2 million.

“The enduring and tireless support of the auxiliary is inspiring,” said Rolinski. “Every year the auxiliary steps forward with a gift that makes it possible to replace critically needed medical equipment, but this year’s gift was exceptional. I am honoured to be able to recognize the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary at the Humanitarian level on our donor wall.”

Auxiliary fundraising enterprises include the County Festival of Trees, Tag Day, Marathon Bridge, the Coffee Shop and the Coffee Cart. The auxiliary also operates the Second Time Around Shop on Picton’s Main Street. Gifts to foundation-led campaigns include $30,000 to the telemetry campaign in 2014, $200,000 to the digital mammography and ultrasound update in 2012, and $10,000 given at the opening of the MacSteven Dialysis Clinic in 2002.

“This accomplishment can be translated into years of hours of volunteerism in our community,” said Jones, whose mother Betty Evans, an auxiliary past president, joined a number of past presidents at the celebration. “As we celebrate this accomplishment we also look forward to our future partnership with the foundation and our common goal of supporting strong healthcare initiatives in Prince Edward County.”

Penny Rolinski, executive director

Rolinski said this year’s auxiliary donation and gifts from donors in the community will be used to purchase replacement equipment at PECMH through the foundation’s current LIFE SAVER Campaign, which includes colonoscopes, gastroscopes, vital signs monitors and defibrillators at a cost of
almost $350,000.”

In addition to the auxiliary’s benevolence, the foundation revealed an updated donor wall celebrating new donors and those who have moved up a giving level. Twenty-one names were unveiled on the physical wall and 43 names added to the LED screen. The Grand Benefactor level for gifts ranging from $250,000 to $499,999 had its first plaque installed commemorating the Estate of Fred and Irene Collyer, of Wellington on the Lake.

“This is also a celebration of the accomplishment of a community that works together to respond to the needs of our doctors, nurses and technologists for state-of-the-art equipment,” said Finnegan.

Mary Clare Egberts, president and CEO Quinte Health Care, acknowledged “the
remarkable amount of time and heart auxiliary members have invested in supporting patients, families and staff through volunteer programs. The altruistic efforts of the auxiliary volunteers is a source of inspiration to all of us,” she said.

Following the unveiling, guests were entertained by the County’s Frere Brothers. The duo led carols and sang festive songs as the tree in front of the hospital was lit by several past presidents of the auxiliary.