Fundraising record and new look for PECM hospital foundation

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation, through the community’s generous support, set a fundraising record in 2015/16, bringing in more than $820,000 for new medical equipment. The achievement brings the total raised for PECM Hospital to $7 million since 1998.

The Foundation has used the funds over the past year to acquire a number of pieces of equipment including an ECG machine, chemical and blood analyzers, eight vital signs monitors, three colonoscopes and three gastroscopes for the regional Endoscopy Centre at Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital.

“Much of this year’s success can be attributed to two generous bequests on behalf of the Estates of Fred and Irene Collyer and H. Lorraine Noble,” said Penny Rolinski, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary was also instrumental in helping the Foundation acquire this equipment for our hospital with their leadership gift of $150,000, which then propelled the volunteer-led group to the Humanitarian level on the Foundation’s donor wall for gifts exceeding the $1 million mark.”

For the first time in the Foundation’s 31-year history, an annual report highlighting revenue and expenditures for the organization’s 2015/16 year is now available and will be showcased in local media this week.

As well, the Foundation introduced a new visual identity with a website redesign.

“The newly designed www.pecmhf.ca is mobile friendly, easier to navigate and has new features like a calendar of events,” said Rolinski “Visitors will also be able to automatically add themselves to the Foundation’s e-mail list. The website is slated to go live Tuesday, May 24. Members of the public are encouraged to send feedback to info@pecmhf.ca

“The website was redesigned with the goal of making information about our giving programs easier to find,” said Rolinski. “We have also added an expanded events calendar and news feed with links to our social media pages. Our hope is this becomes a convenient way for our donors, residents and visitors to Prince Edward County to learn about the great work of our County Hospital Foundation.”

In addition to rolling out the website, the Foundation also released an updated logo to better represent the direction of the charity. Rolinski says the refreshed logo provides a modern visual dynamic to the brand and Foundation’s identity.

“We wanted to make sure our brand reflected the energy and passion of our organization as well as that of our donors, staff and patients who make our work possible,” said Rolinski.

Otherwise, it is business as usual for Foundation staff and volunteers as they work toward reaching a 2016/17 goal of raising more than $200,000 as part of the LIFE SAVER II Campaign to replace scopes for the Endoscopy Department at PECMH.

“Every donation, no matter how much, makes a difference in the care that you and your family value and deserve,” said Leo Finnegan, chair of the Foundation. “We very much appreciate all support. We won’t waiver in our mission and we hope the residents of the County will continue their generous support of our fundraising activities.”

To make a tax deductible donation or for more information, contact the Foundation at 613-476-1008 ext. 4425, drop by the hospital or donate securely online at www.pecmhf.ca The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation is a charitable organization whose mission is to raise money to advance health care for the people of Prince Edward County.