Wellington shows its support for County’s hospital with three donations

‘Grapeful’ at the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital, from left, Leo Finnegan, chair of the Foundation, Penny Rolinski, executive director of the Foundation, Lesley Harrison, president Wellington Rotary Club, Alex Lacher, vice president Wellington Rotary and Barry Davidson, director and membership chair for the Rotary Club. Briar Boyce photo

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation was the ‘grapeful’ recipient of $8,400 from the Rotary Club of Wellington Tuesday, receiving proceeds from the club’s ‘Grape Gatsby’ wine celebration in August at the Wellington and District Community Centre. The funds will be directed to the Foundation’s current LIFE SAVER Campaign for replacement medical equipment at Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital.

“We are delighted to be the recipients of the proceeds from the Grape Gatsby this year,” said Penny Rolinski, executive director for the PECMH Foundation. “This gift will certainly give the campaign a boost. We are also pleased to announce the Rotary Club of Wellington will move up into the ‘Patron’ level of our donor wall for those who have cumulatively given $10,000 or more to our Foundation,”

The $350,000 LIFE SAVER campaign, which launched on April 30, 2015 has raised $111,000 to-date toward the purchase of replacement colonoscopes, gastroscopes, vital signs monitors, defibrillators and other equipment for the Emergency, Inpatient and Endoscopy Departments at PECMH.

George Sainsbury, president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 160 in Wellington presents $1,000 to Penny Rolinski, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. The funds will be directed to the Foundation’s current LIFE SAVER Campaign for $350,000 worth of replacement equipment at PECMH. Briar Boyce photo

The Foundation also received continued support from the Wellington Royal Canadian Legion Branch 160 with $1,000 presented by its president George Sainsbury. The funds were raised in the 2014 Poppy Fund collection. The funds were part of $8,000 collected in the 2014 poppy fund campaign in Wellington to benefit services for veteran in Prince Edward County. While the primary purpose of the Legion Poppy Fund is to provide assistance to former servicemen and women in need, a large portion of the funds raised in Prince Edward County helps support charitable organizations in the community that provide service and care to veterans.

“Our mission is to advance health care to our patients, but it is only through the support of our community that we can help ensure veterans receive the support they need and are treated with the respect they deserve,” said Leo Finnegan, chair of the PECMH Foundation. “Over the years, our three local Legion branches, Picton, Wellington and Consecon have contributed to excellent care at PECMH. We are pleased to know their contributions and those of Provincial Command are not only helping ensure the best care for veterans, but for everyone in Prince Edward County.

Pictured at the Wellington on the Lake tennis courts are Gilles Deraiche, co-ordinator of the WOTL Tennis Club and Penny Rolinski, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. Briar Boyce photo

Wellington on the Lake’s Tennis Club also served up support for the hospital with a $500 donation raised during a pancake breakfast.

“Every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference in the care that you, your family and neighbours value and deserve. We very much appreciate all support. We are especially grateful to the residents of Wellington on the Lake for helping us acquire replacement equipment for our County Hospital,” said Rolinski. “In recent years, the residents at Wellington on the Lake have raised more than $10,000 for priority medical equipment needs at PECMH – that is no small feat.”