Local family hopes gift inspires giving

Pictured at PECMH presenting a family Christmas gift to the hospital, from left, are: Kyan Bucci, Weston Byford, Syrena Elliott, Keaton Bucci and Jolie Elliott. Missing from the photo are Ryerson and Emerson Byford.

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation received an early Christmas gift from a local family.

The foundation celebrated a gift of $500 from the grandchildren of Terry and Linda Byford and their children Joe Byford; Clay and Marianne Byford; Lindsay and Brandon Elliott and Miranda and Aaron Bucci. The gift supports PECM Hospital’s most essential needs and will help with building a new hospital in Prince Edward County.

“We are honoured to make this family gift to support Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital,” said Terry Byford. “Our family and friends have been cared for at this hospital – it’s an important cause as it is here for everyone in our community.”

The holiday gift was a unanimous decision made by the entire family. Each year, the Byford, Elliott and Bucci families choose a local charity to give back to in lieu of exchanging gifts between families.

This year, the families chose to go public with their donation to encourage others to give back where it counts.

“We decided to go public with this year’s donation as we would like to inspire others to donate and show our grandchildren the importance of giving back,” said Linda Byford. “As our local hospital, PECMH supports all of Prince Edward County and beyond. Donations of any size will go a long way to help improve healthcare in our community. We are proud to make this donation that helps ensure the hospital will be here in the future to serve the medical needs of County families when they need it most.”

The generous donation was welcomed by PECMH Foundation’s Senior Development Officer, Briar Boyce.

“We are extremely grateful to have such wonderful supporters in our community. Gifts like this enable us to purchase the equipment that helps the medical team save lives and improve health. We are grateful to the Byford, Elliott and Bucci families for helping us provide the highest quality care and experience to the patients of the hospital.”

Boyce’s thoughts were echoed by Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “Fundraising and philanthropy have an incredible impact on the care we are able to provide at PECMH. Donors fund every piece of medical equipment we purchase. These are the tools the caregivers need to provide comfort and care for the hospital’s patients. This gift is already making a difference.”