Donation was music to hospital foundation ears

On the front steps of St. Mary Magdalene Church in Picton, from left, are: Kathy Condie and Herb Stone, wardens for St. Mary Magdalene Church; Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation; Murray Baer, organist and Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign chairperson. Briar Boyce photo

Members of the St. Mary Magdalene Anglican Church in Picton and Organist Murray Baer pulled out all the stops again, to present the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF) with a $2,365 donation.

The funds were raised through a free-will offering during St. Mary Magdalene’s second performance of “Pulling Out All the Stops” organ concert held early July.

The two concerts, part of a series of planned events to help celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Parish of St. Mary Magdalene, cumulatively raised $5,812 to help Back the Build for the new hospital in Prince Edward County

Organist Baer, known for filling County churches with the sound of music, brought the organ pipes to life once again and wowed a sold-out audience of 230 guests with music from well-known movies, Broadway productions, and classic rock tunes.

“My main objective was to see how much fun we could have with a 100-year pipe organ. And I think we accomplished that,” said Baer.

“St. Mary Magdalene was filled with people who want to make a difference in the lives of others,” said Herb Stone, on behalf of St. Mary Magdalene Church. “Everyone in attendance wanted to sing along with the wonderful songs from so many nostalgic films and performances. We are grateful to Organist Murray Baer for his time, and all the attendees who contributed to our new hospital and had a very enjoyable afternoon.”

The parishioners are looking forward the next fundraiser planned at the church on Aug. 16, a flute and piano concert with proceeds supporting the after-school music program for children at Prince Edward Collegiate Institute.

“The afternoon was inspiring and moving in so many ways,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “To see so many people come together to support our new hospital was truly extraordinary.”

The foundation’s campaign aims to raise $7M over the next four years to help purchase major medical equipment needed for the new hospital and incorporate environmental sustainability enhancements and smart technology into the design.

Once built, the new hospital is to have a 24-hour emergency department, 23 inpatient beds total, a surgical suite, a dialysis unit, ambulatory care and diagnostic imaging equipment that will include the addition of a Computerized Tomography (CT) Scanner for the first time in this hospital’s history. Modern design will promote infection prevention and control.

“This donation brings us another step closer to seeing a fabulous new hospital in Prince Edward County,” said Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign chairperson. “Construction is expected to begin as early as July 2024 with a move-in date for the new hospital being spring of 2027. We are so grateful to those in the community, such as St. Mary Magdalene and those who attended the concert, who are pulling out all the stops to help Back the Build for our new hospital.”

Those interested in making a donation to Back the Build for our new hospital can do so by visiting www.pecmhf.ca and clicking Donate Now or by sending an e-transfer to scoull@qhc.on.ca. Cheques can also be mailed to PECMH Foundation, 403 Main Street, Picton, ON K0K 2T0, and those with further inquires may direct them to 613-476-1008 ext. 4425.

The 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.