PEC Period Party proves you can talk about periods, Margaret

Event co-ordinator Ramona Roblin, with founder Alison Kelly (at back) with Shannon Helm and Nell Casson posing in the retro photo booth

The grassroots movement advocating for the elimination of period poverty celebrated its 7th Annual PEC Period Party following a week-long menstrual product drive collecting more than $6,000 worth of products to be donated.

To date, the initiative has collected close to $30,000 dollars in menstrual products and raised more than $6,000 dollars in cash, reinvested into essential products and educational resources.

More than 140 community members of all ages and genders gathered at The Regent Theatre in Picton to celebrate menstrual health during a free family-friendly event centered around a screening of ‘Are You There God It’s Me Margaret’ – a film made from the 1970 middle-grade novel by Judy Blume exploring 12-year-old Margaret Simon’s challenges of adolescence.

The event also featured a period kit making station with organizer Ramona Roblin, a craft table hosted by Reaching for Rainbows, Margaret’s Mocktail Bar, henna offered by Lily Gold, and a retro style photobooth with Becky Hinch Photography. To treat attendees, Half Kanga donated more than 100 mini cakes.

“Fabulous. What a great way to teach young people about a natural part of growing,” said Sue, an attendee. “Also, thank you Judy Blume for being there for us. I still have my dog-eared copy from the 70s.”

A student from Nicholson Catholic College thanked the project for the donations.
“It means so much to me and the girls at school will be so grateful for your kindness.”

The continued success of this project shows just how ready our community is to have open and honest conversations about menstrual health,” Said Alison Kelly, founder. “I hope that in the future, local politicians will respond to our invitation and show up in these spaces. Leadership means being willing to listen, learn, and treat menstrual health with the seriousness and dignity it deserves.”

As well, more than $1,000 dollars in cash donations will go toward purchasing period underwear for local agencies. This year’s menstrual product drive PEC locations included Kelly’s Shop, Midtown Brewing Company, and County Creative.

The 2026 Product Recipients include theROC Youth Services, PELC, PEC Fresh Good Food Market, Picton Library Community Pantry, Wellington Storehouse Foodbank, Athol South Marysburgh Public School, Kente Public School, Prince Edward Collegiate Institute, Nicholson Catholic College, local doctors’ office and new women’s clinic, and Belleville at The Bridge.

As well as Kelly and Roblin, the 2026 PEC Period Party team includes Kelly Robin (Social Media), and Nell Casson (Artistic Director), Natalie Finkelstein (Marketing & Poster Designs), and Becky Hinch.

The PEC Period Party was founded in 2018 as a community initiative dedicated to raising awareness about period poverty in Prince Edward County. The project fundraises for essential menstrual products and fosters open, inclusive conversation about menstrual health. PEC Period Party has advocated at Queen’s Park, received a 2023 Community Champions Award from MP Ryan Williams, helped bring free menstrual products to PEC community centres, and participated in a Menstrual Equity Advocate Panel with The Period Purse (a Toronto-based registered charity dedicated to menstrual equity, working to end stigma, promote education, and ensure universal access to free, preferred period products.)