DESIRÉE DECOSTE

STAFF WRITER

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF) celebrated the final instalment of promised funding from local business RE/MAX Quinte Ltd. Friday.

The local real estate brokerage had committed to donate $250,000 to the PECMH Foundation and local RE/MAX members gathered to celebrate that goal plus the ongoing legacy of supporting Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital.

For 21 years RE/MAX has been supporting patient care at Quinte Health Care (QHC) PECMH.

Back in 2000, RE/MAX committed to raise $98,600, which reflects 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, in support of the hospital and, over the next nine years, RE/MAX exceeded that goal by raising $105,358.81 for priority medical equipment needs.

In 2014 and with a new hospital on the horizon, a new goal of $250,000 was set.

“We have been celebrating this incredible partnership with RE/MAX for over 21 years,” expressed Shannon Coull, Executive Director of the PECMHF. “In 2000, RE/MAX committed to raising $98,600, the reason that amount of money was chosen is because it reflects the perfect body temperature at 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. By 2009 RE/MAX exceeded that goal by raising $105,358 all going towards priority medical equipment in our hospital. We are here to celebrate another amazing accomplishment that has been achieved over the past six years, since 2014 RE/MAX revived the fundraising efforts by setting a new goal of $250,000 in support of our hospital in the county.”

Broker of Record for RE/MAX Quinte Ltd., Sean McKinney, along with several sales representatives were excited to announce the brokerage not only met their $250,000 goal but announced the brokerage has raised $354,261 in total since 2000.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled with the response from RE/MAX reps to this initiative, nor am I surprised that we exceeded our goal,” said McKinney. “Our reps are extremely active and involved in this community, and they know the positive impact that having a viable hospital has on families. The fact we are able to facilitate these efforts and be a part of helping the hospital foundation in such important work is extremely fulfilling and is a natural extension of our business.”

Funds have been raised through the Teeing Up Fore Health Care Golf Classic as well as donations from approximately a dozen sales representatives who donate their sales commissions at the end of each calendar year. Each participating representative donates one per cent of each commission received to PECMHF’s equipment fund.

“As realtors working with people particularly moving in to the County the first question usually is what’s your hospital like?” stated Kevin Gale, sales representative for RE/MAX Quinte. “We saw a need to help our hospital in the community, we wanted to give back to the community and as Shannon (Coull) said we’ve been doing that since 2003 and were just pleased it has blossomed as it has, the golf tournament has been a huge success and it would be our seventh year had it not been for covid, we didn’t have one last year, but we’re moving forward this year and the tournament is September 28th and were certainly excited about it, it’s a sold out tournament.”

On Friday, RE/MAX representatives celebrated this wonderful milestone at their new office on Loyalist Parkway in Picton. The team was eager to announce their 6^th annual Teeing Up Fore Health Care Golf Classic happening on Tuesday, September 28 in Picton. Proceeds will help contribute to the purchase of a replacement ultrasound machine that will serve patients in the current hospital as well as move with them when they transition into the new hospital.

“We are truly grateful to Sean (McKinney) and the sales representatives at RE/MAX for their tremendous support of our hospital,” Coull said. “This partnership with RE/MAX has been a wonderful opportunity to work together to purchase new and replacement priority equipment for our hospital. Every year, we are challenged with raising in excess of $350,000 for priority equipment needs at our County hospital. The government does not fund priority medical equipment, the community does. We are looking forward to continuing our partnership with RE/MAX and we encourage other businesses to reach out and get involved as well.”

Last year, 2,234 patients required use of the ultrasound machine at PECMH. Purchased in 2011, the current machine is three years past its recommended lifespan. The image quality is diminishing and parts are becoming difficult to source. The new ultrasound machine will cost $184,931. Because priority equipment purchases are not government funded, PECMHF is counting on the support of this community to help ensure ultrasound services remain close by now and in the future.

“We are incredibly grateful to be the beneficiaries of this wonderful community event hosted by RE/MAX,” said Barbara McConnell, chairperson of the PECMH Foundation. “Donor support is key to making the new hospital a reality and that includes arming it with leading edge medical equipment, including the new ultrasound machine. We have an extremely rare opportunity to build and equip a modern facility that will improve the quality of care patients receive locally. This is a game changer for Prince Edward County and we are calling on business and community leaders, like RE/MAX, to invest in the new QHC PECMH. Each of us has a role to play in bringing this important project to life.”

When you list or purchase your home with a RE/MAX Quinte Ltd. agent in Prince Edward County, you will receive the highest quality service from the most experienced agents. In so doing, you are making a choice to help Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital remain vibrant and viable.

“We applaud RE/MAX for finding a safe way to host this tournament during these challenging times,” Coull said. “We wish them every success with their golf tournament and look forward to joining them on the course in September.”

For more information on how you can get involved in the golf tournament, through sponsorship or volunteering please contact Briar in the PECMH Foundation office at 613-476-1008 ext. 4425 or bboyce@qhc.on.ca. The tournament is currently sold out, but golfers may be added to the waiting list.

For more information about RE/MAX, to search home listings or find an agent in Prince Edward County, please visit https://www.remaxquinte.com/

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