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Frontline workers inspire Bloomfield GEMS to support hospital equipment fund

Pictured from left at the Bethany Reformed Church in Bloomfield: Carrie Koopmans, club coordinator for the Bloomfield GEMS Club; Briar Boyce, senior development officer with the PECMH Foundation and Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. – Angela Prinzen photo

Carrie Koopmans, club coordinator for the Bloomfield GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior) Club presented the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation with $600 for the purchase of priority medical equipment.

The GEMS Club is a relationship building club program created especially for girls in Grades 2 to 7. The vision is to see girls actively and enthusiastically expressing love for God and others. The club is hosted out of the Bethany Christian Reformed Church in Bloomfield.

The funds were raised at a pre-COVID-19 pancake supper where approximately 130 people dined on flap jacks served by the club members.

The GEMS chose to donate the proceeds to the PECMH Foundation after earning their First Aid badge. The club hosted Joel Daniels, a paramedic with Hastings Quinte Paramedic Services and Jenny Stever, a registered nurse at Quinte Health Care (QHC) who works at the PECM hospital. Joel and Jenny taught the girls about hospital and paramedic services, procedures and shared their experiences.

Part of the GEMS Club mission is to give back to the community through funds raised at their annual pancake supper. Half of the proceeds stay within the club and the other half are donated to a worthy cause. In past years, the club has donated to causes such as the Storehouse Foodbank and mission-related activities. This year, the members felt they learned so much about the hospital from Joel and Jenny that they wanted to donate their proceeds to the PECMH Foundation’s equipment fund.

“The Bloomfield GEMS Club would like to extend our sincere thanks to Joel Daniels and Jenny Stever as well as the generous community members who attended our pancake supper. The girls would also like to thank the Church’s Congregational Life Team, family members and volunteers who helped execute a successful pancake supper,” said Koopmans.

Foundation Executive Director, Shannon Coull also thanked the community and GEMS Club members for supporting our community’s vibrant Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital.

“This year, the Foundation is challenged with raising over $300,000 for priority medical equipment needed across our region. At PECMH, we are raising funds for a new crash cart defibrillator, two new SMART beds and a steamer to prepare patient meals. In addition, we are helping to raise funds for equipment needed for the maternal child unit at QHC Belleville General Hospital where approximately 150 County babies are born each year. This gift will help keep our hospitals well equipped for every person in this community.”

The Bloomfield GEMS Club currently has between 15 and 25 members. For more information, contact Carrie Koopmans at 613-827-5854.

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