County Marathon races in with gift

bboyce • December 13, 2024

The County Marathon Races In With Donation

PICTON, December 12, 2024 - Community support for Back the Build came racing in again from County Marathon participants.

 

Brian McLean, the marathon’s new race director, presented the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF) with $9,000 on December 12. The funds were donated by marathoners and community members who pledged support to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation as part of the 2024 race. As with other years, the County Marathon contributed funds as well.

 

“The County Marathon Committee is thrilled to be able to donate to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation's Back the Build campaign, especially now that shovels have gone into the ground on the new hospital,” said McLean.

 

For the past 20 years, this 42.2 km and 21.1 km race has taken runners past three lakes and through three villages while surrounding them with the beautiful autumn colours of Prince Edward County. The County Marathon committee is so grateful that the community has embraced the events, especially the many volunteers who have made it happen every year since 2004.

 

“I'm very proud to be part of the philanthropic community that supports our new County hospital so enthusiastically,” said Nancy Parks, chairperson of the Back the Build campaign. “The hospital provides outstanding care to many in our community. The foundation board of directors and campaign cabinet want to ensure our new hospital has the necessary equipment and resources when illness strikes. It's comforting to know that Prince Edward County will continue to have a great hospital, equipped to make a difference –all because of donors who care.”

 

The County Marathon committee has donated over $38,000 to PECMHF and remains committed to supporting the local hospital and community.

 

“The County Marathon has always depended on the support and cooperation of the Prince Edward County community. So many people from The County have come out year after year. Groups such as McDougall Insurance, Visit The County, 99.3 CountyFM, Picton Rotary, Wellington Rotary, Dairy Farmers of Prince Edward, Wellington Dukes, the extraordinary efforts of The County staff and the critically important expertise of the Prince Edward County OPP. These key entities, among others, have collectively allowed us to deliver a first-class running event year after year,” said McLean. “The Marathon Committee has always been eager to continue to give back to the community by supporting our local hospital.”

 

The County Marathon will host its 2025 race on Sunday, October 5. The Marathon Committee seeks new partners and volunteers for next year’s race. To learn more, email bmclean@thecountymarathon.ca.

 

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to raising funds to advance health care for the people of Prince Edward County and the patients of the hospital.

 

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Pictured at the front of the hospital from left: Colin Gillis, branch manager at McDougall Insurance; Trish McLean, a volunteer with the Marathon; Brian McLean, race director; Tim Johnson, technical advisor with the Marathon; Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign chairperson; Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation; Mayor Steve Ferguson; and Libby Crombie, a member of the Back the Build campaign cabinet.

October 31, 2025
BLOOMFIELD, October 28, 2025 – What began as a way to bring isolated people together safely to make cherished holiday memories during the Covid pandemic … grew over 5 years resulting in over 3,000 people (and countless pets) being photographed at ANDARA Gallery’s annual “Holiday Photo in the Barn” event … raising over $35,000 for the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation.  Today, Tara Wilkinson and Andrew Csafordi are proud to announce that this beloved program will be transitioning over to The Eddie Farm & Hotel for the 2025 Holiday season … and beyond. “We have loved every minute of our five years hosting this special holiday fundraiser! The program has grown so much and now requires more energy and resources. We couldn’t be more thrilled to hand the reins of this beautiful annual tradition over to the stewardship of Alex Portman and Michael von Teichman at The Eddie Hotel and Farm … the epitome of “Christmas in the County”. We know their team will do a great job continuing this treasured tradition for County residents and visitors in support of our beloved hospital”, said Tara Wilkinson, co-owner of ANDARA Gallery. Artists Tara and Andrew will continue to focus on creating, exhibiting and selling contemporary fine art paintings, photography, digital art and ceramics year-round from their colourful ANDARA Gallery - named one of Ontario’s Top 10 Best Art Galleries by TripAdvisor earlier this year. ANDARA Gallery’s upcoming holiday art show and sale, “LUMINOUS” will run November 15th through December 6th and then December 16th to 23rd from 11 AM to 5 PM. For more information, visit www.andaragallery.com. The 6th Annual “Holiday Photo in the Barn” event will take place at its new location, The Eddie Hotel and Farm located at 15786 Loyalist Parkway (between Bloomfield and Wellington) in Prince Edward County … Thursdays through Sundays between Noon and 6 PM starting on Thursday, December 4th and running through Sunday, December 21st, 2025. The event will now be known as “Holiday Photos at The Red Barn”. Residents and visitors can now make an advance reservation for their group photo time through www.theeddie.ca/holiday-photo-in-the-barn. Guests will check in a Nellie’s Cheese Shop located in The Red Barn where they can make their donation to PECMH Foundation’s “Back the Build” campaign, purchase a snack, hot chocolate, mulled cider and other holiday gifts. You then bring your own fully charged camera and choose from one of 3 photo areas in and around The Red Barn. Eddie staff will be available to assist with taking your photo or you can use one of the iphone camera stands available at each photo location. All they ask in return is for a donation to PECMH Foundation’s “Back the Build” campaign. “We suggest a donation of $10 per group, but a larger donation is welcome if you can afford it, and less is fine if you can’t” says Alex. An income tax receipt will be issued by the PECMHF for all donations over $100. To make your reservation for the 6th Annual “Holiday Photo in the Barn” event at The Eddie Hotel and Farm, go to www.theeddie.ca/holiday-photo-in-the-barn. “We are delighted to be taking over the annual “Holiday Photo in the Barn” event from Tara and Andrew at ANDARA Gallery and bringing it to The Eddie Hotel and Farm. It seemed like such a good fit since our property is already so decorated after The Red Barn Holiday Market - which takes place the last weekend of November each year. We loved the idea of people being able to capture their family memories over the years against the backdrop of “The Eddie”, says says Alex Portman, Co-owner of The Eddie Hotel and Farm. “We are delighted to continue this wonderful tradition of providing such a joyful experience for our community that brings people together to create holiday memories while raising much needed funds for the new hospital,” says Michael Von Teichman, Co-Owner of The Eddie Hotel and Farm. “Thank you to Andrew and Tara of ANDARA Gallery and everyone who has supported this event over the past five years. We look forward to continuing this wonderful holiday tradition with Alex and Mike at The Eddie Hotel and Farm. No matter the size, every donation makes a difference in the care you and your family will receive in our new hospital,” said Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign chairperson. “We look forward to everyone coming out to support this festive fundraiser again this year as we work to modernize and enhance health care services to ensure people living in and visiting our community continue to have access to care close to home.” The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to raising funds to advance health care for the people of Prince Edward County and patients of the hospital. -30- PHOTO CAPTION: (L-R) Holiday Photo in the Barn Founders and ANDARA Gallery Co-Owners, Andrew Csafordi and Tara Wilkinson, celebrate the transition of their annual fundraiser over to The Eddie Hotel and Farm in Prince Edward County with (Centre) Nancy Parks, PECMHF Back the Build Chairperson and (R), the Eddie’s Co-Owners, Michael von Teichman and Alex Portman. Photo Credit: Staff, The Eddie Hotel and Farm.
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