Picton Beer Store and patrons raise $20,776 for County’s new hospital

Presenting and receiving $20,766 from returns donations at the Picton Beer Store, from left, are: Beer Store employees, Karly Lammes and Wendy Minns; PECMH Foundation Board Chair Barbara McConnell; Beer Store employee, Travis Redmond; PECMH Foundation Executive Director Shannon Coull; Beer Store Local Manager Ryan Wiersma and Beer Store Employee Bob Pitcher. – Briar Boyce photo

CHEERS! to Prince Edward County beer store customers who helped the store hand over $20,776 to the build of the County’s new hospital.

Beer Store customers across Ontario have been doing their part since the COVID-19 pandemic began back in March. The Beer Store then announced customers could choose to donate proceeds of their empty bottle returns to health care centres and food banks throughout the province. More than $2.3 million has been raised throughout Ontario from the initiative.

The Picton store’s donation was presented Tuesday to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation.

“Donations like this ensure we can provide the 40,000 patients seen at Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital each year with the best care possible. The staff and customers at the Beer Store have demonstrated their commitment to keeping our hospital well equipped for everyone who lives in or visits our community,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation.

Each returnable container is worth either 10 cents or 20 cents depending its size.

Picton Beer Store manager Ryan Wiersma said the staff is thankful for amazing charitable organizations, like the PECMH Foundation, who are helping the community navigate through the ever-evolving COVID-19 situation.

“We wanted to raise funds that we could keep in our community, especially during these uncertain times,” said Wiersma. “We would like to thank all of our customers for their dedication to our County hospital. They have shown us that we are all in this together.”

Beer Store president Ted Moroz stated thanks to the people of Ontario for their incredible generosity.

“To donate their returns in such large numbers clearly demonstrates how much they want to show their support for people working at local health centres and foodbanks,” he said.

“The Picton Beer store is an important part of the County’s business community and the Foundation is thankful for their support,” said Barbara McConnell, chairperson of the PECMH Foundation. “This donation from the Beer Store is a symbol of an active and generous community. Thank you to all who participated in this fundraiser.”