When I was 10, my family and I lived in a rented house that had a couple prolific plum trees in the backyard.

Even then, I must have had an entrepreneurial personality, as I thought selling those plums at a roadside stand in front of our house would be fun, and I could easily make thousands of dollars.

I broached the idea with my mom, who said she was okay with the idea but only if I gave the proceeds to a charity. She explained what a charity is, what it does, and how we need to do what we can to support charities. She also said that because we were renting the house, the plum tree didn't belong to us, so it wasn't morally right that we should keep the proceeds of its fruit.

I can't recall if I was disappointed that I couldn't keep the money, but I must have been because I still clearly recall the plum project. I can't recall what I had for breakfast yesterday, but I clearly remember this, so it must be an impactful memory.

What I remember most about the plum project is the joy it brought me. The planning, setting up, and hours spent hoping for customers were all part of a fun and rewarding experience. And the best part? The plums were a hit! They were delicious, and quite a few were sold.

I also remember Mom taking the money to Picton to give to the hospital. I don't know why she decided on the hospital, but perhaps because 4 out of 5 of my siblings were born there. (yes, my parents were "from away").

Even though it was a busy household, we always had clean clothes and enough food on the table. I won't say we lacked anything because we didn't, but it would have been easy to keep all the money and buy something I thought I needed but probably only wanted. 

Our parents instilled in us the need to give back to our community, and they lived that way, too. My Dad was a Rotarian and a lifetime member of the Kiwanis club, and my mom served on many committees with organizations that we were involved in and, years later, was a member of the hospital auxiliary.

This, in part, is why my siblings and I have a long and varied history of volunteering and community service.

Let me share another story that embodies the impact of charitable actions. I was first introduced to Parker G., a young boy who, when his friend Nasr's house burned down, sold his seedlings and donated the money to Nasr so he could buy a new backpack. A couple of months ago, he celebrated his 10th birthday, and instead of gifts, he asked his friends and family to make a gift to the PECMH Foundation to help build our new hospital. His selfless act raised $110, a small amount but a significant contribution towards our shared goal.

I am excited to see what Parker comes up with within the next few years and if he follows this path.  Bravo to his parents, who support his "projects" and instill in him the need to give back to his community.

Getting to the point, as Chair of 'Back the Build,' the Campaign Cabinet, helping raise the necessary funds to build our new hospital, I reach out to you, our community members.

How many plums do you have in your backyard?

Your contribution, no matter how small, is invaluable.

We need you and your plums to build our new hospital.

For information about our hospital or to donate, call 613-476-1008 ext. 4425 or visit our website at www.pecmhf.ca.

Nancy Parks is the Chairperson of PECMHF’s Back the Build campaign. Nancy, along with other members of the Campaign Cabinet are raising the funds needed to build our new hospital in Prince Edward County.