Leadership donation to prompt others to support hospitals working through pandemic

Lanny and Catharine Huff with daughter Janine pose together after being awarded as Outstanding Philanthropists at the Association for Fundraising Professionals 2017 philanthropy award gala in Kingston. Photo courtesy Loyalist College

A ‘significant’ donation from a well known local philanthropic family will give Quinte Health Care’s four local hospitals some of the tools they need to provide care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lanny and Catharine Huff made the donation to be used to purchase personal protective equipment, reconfiguration of space to accommodate COVID patients and equipment that can be sterilized and used again, as well as other COVID-19-related expenses that have and will be incurred by QHC in the coming weeks and months.

“Now more than ever, our hospitals are counting on philanthropy to help our residents stay safe and healthy,” said Catharine Huff. “It is not an option to do nothing when there is so much need. Our family has benefitted in many ways over the years from the hospitals’ incredible medical services. It is our pleasure to help the QHC hospitals deal with the COVID-19 crisis during these difficult times.”

The County Foundation oversees the management of The Huff Family Fund, established in 2017, and has provided significant philanthropic support to organizations and institutions, through more than 25 grants in 2019 and 2020, for County projects and programs.

“Through our gift to the PECMH Foundation, we want to support a local network of care providers fighting on behalf of all of us as the world works to discover a long-term solution,” said Lanny Huff. “We hope this gift will help the patients and caregivers who are experiencing this awful virus and give our hospitals some of the tools they need to provide exceptional care, close to home.”

“We continue to be deeply grateful for Lanny and Catharine’s ongoing generosity and legacy. I am also grateful for their confidence in our Foundation to work with QHC to disperse their donated funds to support each hospital within the Quinte region,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “What a humbling reminder that we have many heroes to thank for advancing healthcare in our QHC hospitals, both in the community and on the frontline.”

Coull notes each of the QHC hospitals has been impacted by COVID-19, noting the Huff family allowed the publication of the news of their generosity in the hope it would inspire others to follow their lead.

“We need to unify to keep our hospitals strong and well equipped in the face of adversity,” said Coull. “PECMHF will continue to find visionary ways to support healthcare delivery across our region so we can get through this time of uncertainty together.”

“We have a special place in our hearts for Catharine and Lanny. Not only as we partner with them and the County Foundation to help put this pandemic behind us, but for their ongoing support that has helped us to purchase medical equipment for our current hospital as well as help us to build a new hospital for Prince Edward County.” said

At the Wellings of Picton is Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation, Katherine Langabeer, sales and marketing manager for the Wellings of Picton, Rachel Henry, general manager of the Wellings of Picton and Briar Boyce, senior development officer with the PECMHF. – Jessica Dore photo

The Wellings of Picton has also stepped up with a contribution of $2,500 to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation’s COVID-19 Relief Fund.

“We are very pleased that the funds are getting into the hands of those who need them,” said Rachel Henry, general manager of the Wellings of Picton. “As we all work together during this pandemic; we hope this contribution helps provide care to those who need it most across the Quinte region. The Wellings of Picton are proud to support the dedicated staff who are working hard each day to take care of our community.”

For information, or to make a donation to COVID-19 Relief, call 613-476-1008 ext. 4502 or visit the Foundation’s website at www.pecmhf.ca