Picton Rotary Club ‘chips in’ to Back the Build of County’s new hospital

Pictured in front of the Back the Build billboard behind QHC PECMH from left, are: Libby Crombie, Rotarian and Back the Build campaign cabinet member; Rick Jones, Rotarian; JJ Johnston, Rotarian and chairperson of the Rotary Club of Picton’s golf tournament; Shannon Coull, Rotarian and Executive Director of the PECMH Foundation, Dan Wight, President of the Rotary Club of Picton; Maurice Carlier, treasurer of the Rotary Club of Picton with his dog, Toby; and Sally Cowan, Back the Build campaign cabinet member. Sue Vincent photo

Volunteers from the Rotary Club of Picton teed up their support again this year and presented members of the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation with a $5,000 pledge installment toward their $100,000 commitment to the new hospital fundraising campaign.

This donation, raised through the Rotary Club of Picton’s 32nd annual golf tournament in August, brings the total amount raised by the club to $27,804 for the new hospital campaign.

Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation, and a Rotarian, notes the club’s support of the hospital spans more than 19 years, contributing more than $142,000 which has helped fund essential equipment needed at the hospital in Picton.

“The club’s impressive support of the hospital is both longstanding and unwavering,” said Coull. Rotary’s generosity has enabled the hospital to make great strides in improving local health care delivery for patients. Their commitment to helping Back the Build reinforces the club’s legacy of supporting the hospital, and for that, we are so grateful.”

A room in the new Quinte Health Care Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital will be named in recognition of the Rotary Club of Picton’s philanthropic support.

The club’s 32nd annual golf tournament saw 72 golfers tee off at the Picton Golf and Country Club, raising $20,000 for projects in the community. The golf committee decided to donate 25 per cent of the proceeds to Back the Build.

“We believe a strong community makes a hospital greater, and a great hospital makes a community stronger,” said Dan Wight, president of the Rotary Club of Picton. “We are grateful to everyone who participated in this year’s tournament whether they golfed with us, volunteered with us or donated a sponsorship or item for our auction.”

“The work of the Foundation and Campaign Cabinet would not be possible without our partners in the community and their commitment to making a positive difference, like the Rotary Club of Picton continues to do,” said Dennis Darby, Back the Build campaign cabinet co-chair. “It is by coming together as a community that we will realize our vision of a new hospital in The County. This donation from Rotary is another excellent example of the team effort underway across Prince Edward County to help get this hospital built.”

The fundraising campaign has reached $15.8 million of its $16.5 million goal. Shovels are expected to go into the ground in 2024 with doors open in 2027.