The Back the Build campaign has reached a significant milestone.
On Thursday, the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation announced $14.7 million has been raised to date for the new hospital.
The Foundation has a goal to raise $16.5 million over the next five years for the new hospital. This fundraising goal is the community’s local share of the new hospital project and includes a portion of the construction costs for the new hospital as well as 100% of the equipment.
Executive Director of the PECMHF Shannon Coull says they are grateful to each and every donor who has helped them reach this milestone of $14.7 million in cash and pledges raised.
She says raising the community share of $16.5 million toward the new build is an ambitious goal that can be achieved with the help from the entire community and they are all working together to ensure the future of health care delivery in Prince Edward County is vibrant and exceptional.
PECMH Foundation’s Back the Build campaign is the largest fundraising effort undertaken by the organization in its 35-year history.
Since the early days of fundraising for the new hospital started in 2014, more than 1,360 donors have contributed to or pledged to help the PECMH Foundation reach this fundraising milestone.
The new Quinte Health Care (QHC) Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital is on track to open in 2025 with shovels going into the ground in 2022. The current hospital has been in service for over 60 years.
A large fundraising thermometer on the exterior of the current hospital was also unveiled. The thermometer was funded through a grant from the Jack and Ruby Lockyer Ward Fund, administered by the County Foundation.
Long-time supporters of the hospital Foundation, Lanny and Catharine Huff formally announced their $2 million gift to help Back the Build for Prince Edward County’s new hospital.
This gift, facilitated through the County Foundation, helped the PECMH Foundation reach the $14.7 million in commitments raised so far and will help to ensure the funds needed for the new hospital are realized.
“Lanny and I are proud to support our community in the construction of the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital,” said Catharine Huff. “We are excited to give back to the community which we call home and make this financial donation that will help to ensure that the highest quality of health care is available in our backyard, when it is needed most. We hope this gift makes a meaningful impact and inspires others to step forward.”
The Huff family’s transformational gift is the largest the PECMH Foundation has accounted for from individual donors to date.
In recognition of the Huff’s transformative gift, the lobby/atrium inside the main entrance to the new PECM Hospital will be named in honour of this prominent County family.
Those interested in making a donation can do so by visiting www.backthebuild.ca. Cheques can also be mailed to PECMH Foundation, 403 Main Street, Picton, ON K0K2T0, and those with further inquires may direct them to 613-476-1008 ext. 4502.
