Sign up to throw a few rocks to Back the Build of County’s new hospital
Administrator | Dec 19, 2024 | Comments 0
Story and photos by Sharon Harrison
For the third consecutive year, the Prince Edward Curling Club is hosting a Curl-A-Thon in February, again raising funds to Back the Build of the County’s new hospital.
The 2025 Curl-A-Thon is set for Saturday, Feb. 8 at the curling club located at the fairgrounds in Picton, and the club members are encouraging folks to sign-up early, to come out, have some fun, maybe learn a new skill – but mostly to take advantage of the opportunity to give back to their community.
Anyone (age 18 and older) is welcome to participate in the community fundraising event, and you don’t have to be a curling club member, or even know how to curl.
With two successful 24-hour Curl-A-Thon’s already, a total of just over $110,000 has been raised so far by the curling club’s endeavours to help support the new hospital build.
“The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation’s (PECMHF) ability to raise the goal for the new hospital depends on community initiatives and events like the Curl-a-Thon,” said Shannon Coull, PECMHF executive director.
“One of the great benefits of having a modern hospital in the County is finding new ways to enhance patient care, such as offering expanded services, like access to a CT Scanner,” she said. “We thank everyone who has supported this event in its first two years, including many who have never thrown a curling rock before, and we look forward to this year’s event, which is sure to be a sweeping success.”
For this next event in February, the format has changed a little from past years since it will be held over 12 hours (instead of over a 24-hour period), running from noon to midnight.
“This will maximize our ice times to allow up to 160 people to participate in 12 hours, raising funds for a good cause,” said Pam Piercey, Prince Edward Curling Club member and event co-organizer.
Per person pledges for the February event will be $125 (minimum), or $500 (minimum) for a team of four, with donations over $20 receiving a tax receipt.
Groups of up to eight people can sign-up for a two-hour slot, but individuals who aren’t able to form a team are also encouraged to participate and will be assigned to play with a team.
“The Prince Edward Curling Club is a strong supporter of the local community and is proud to contribute to a very important cause – our new hospital,” said Piercey. “Through the generosity of our members, sponsors and residents, we continue to be an important contributor and look forward to hosting this event that will once again showcase the game of curling and our exceptional community spirit.”
As in past years, curling experience is not a barrier to participating in this fun, community fundraising event as the club will provide a lesson prior to the event for those who would like one –two Friday evening time slots are being made available (dates to be confirmed).
These sessions will allow those interested to get in some practice and gain some instructions from the pros (ie, club members).
“We have had a tremendous community turnout in the past few years from people who have never thrown a rock before, and they have all had a blast!” said Piercey.
The club will also supply all of the equipment needed to participate in the event for those without the necessary gear. All they ask is people bring a clean pair of shoes with them – the club will do everything else to ensure would-be curlers can curl (and curl well) on the day, and, of course, have some fun along the way where there are only winners at the Curl-A-Thon because everyone gets to have fun, and the hospital (and therefore, the community) only gain in the process.

Representatives from the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF) were swept off their feet when the Prince Edward Curling Club members presented $57,022 that will help Back the Build for a new hospital in Prince Edward County (PEC).
When the idea for the Curl-A-Thon was first born a few years ago, expectations were realistic (the fundraising goal in its first year was just $15,000), where club organizers weren’t sure how the idea would be received by the community. It far exceeded expectations on every level, bringing in more than $57,000 that year ($42,000 more than expected).
The club went on to repeat the success for a second time, raising just over $51,000 (the goal was $35,000), and why there’s confidence to do so again a third time, where the focus and goal is to help the Prince Edward County hospital grow and prosper – hoping to raise $30,000.
“The funds raised from the Curl-a-Thon will ensure patients who visit our new hospital receive the best care, technology and compassion offered in Prince Edward County,” added Coull.
“The organizers, volunteers, sponsors and participants of the Curl-a-Thon have set the bar for how third-party fundraisers should run. We can’t wait to show everyone in the County that, because of their support, we are not only building a new hospital, we are building a great hospital – in fact, it will be the first of its kind in North America.”
Last year, the Prince Edward Curling Club moved into the grand patron level on PECMHFs donor wall for cumulative gifts totalling $100,000 or more. Furthermore, a room in the new hospital’s in-patient unit will be named in honour of the Prince Edward Curling Club.
Anyone is welcome to drop by the Curling Club location at the fairgrounds (375C Picton Main Street) during the 12-hour event on Feb. 8 to watch some great curling (no charge to watch), appreciate the friendly atmosphere, or encourage and cheer on friends and family for as long (or as little) as they wish.
Food and beverages will be available to all participants and spectators during the event (proceeds also go to hospital), and live music will keep folks entertained.
Slots have filled up fast in past years, so the club encourages those interested to not wait to register for the February event (cut-off date to register is Jan. 31, but it is suggested not to delay registering).
Registration can be completed at this link, as well, pledge forms can be downloaded, and there is also an up-to-date tally of those time slots still available:
https://pecurling.com/index.php?option=com_eventbooking&view=event&id=21
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