Women’s Institute directs $25,000 into the County community

Christmas came early for many in the County as the members of the Prince Edward District Women’s Institute dispersed $25,000 into the community. Monday at the Bloomfield Town Hall, recipients were presented  $1,000 donations each.
“This is money we raised at the annual Art and Craft Sale,” said Joan Williams, district president. “We are proud the money we earned stays in this community.” The district is comprised of seven branches within the County – at Cherry Valley, Consecon, Demorestville, Hillier, Mountain View, Rednersville and Wellington.

Eight schools – Athol South Marysburgh, CML Snider, Kente, Massassaga-Rednersville, Pinecrest, Queen Elizabeth, Sophiasburgh and Prince Edward Collegiate Institute. On behalf of the schools, Bill Launderville, principal at Queen Elizabeth, thanked the Women’s Institute for providing funds to help the schools do things they wouldn’t normally be able to do, and on a personal note, thanked the WI “for decorating a lot of my house from the craft show”.

Jennifer Lyons, Head Curator of the County’s five museums, shown with Joan Williams, WI district president,  thanked the WI members for “this wonderful gift that helps us continue children’s and public programs that preserve the captivating stories and objects unique to Prince Edward County.”

Barbara Sweet, CEO of the Prince Edward County public libraries, also shown with Williams, thanked the institute for the “wonderful donation. We always have something going on at the branches and this will help keep that momentum,” she said.

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation and Hospice Prince Edward also thanked the institute for continued support. Above, foundation members Sue Law and Lillian Duffy with Hospital Foundation interim director Hazel Lloyst, who noted the funds will assist in the purchase of priority medical equipment for Picton’s hospital, as outlined in last week’s mailout. Hospice executive director Nancy Parks thanked the WI for helping to support people and their loved ones with end of life care.

Rahno Godfrey, executive director with Picton’s Alternatives for Women and Kim Charlebois, with the Sexual Assault Centre for Quinte and District expressed appreciation for support of their services delivered in Prince Edward County.

Seona Halsey, of the Picton United Church Food Bank and Linda Downey, of the Storehouse Foodbank in Wellington both thanked the Women’s Institute and noted increased need for food bank services this month and expected higher needs to continue throughout the winter.