10/25/2025
PEC Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Craft Group Keeps Kids Warm with Handcrafted Gifts
The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Craft Group has once again made a heartwarming contribution to the Keep Kids Warm program.
This year, the group presented the Prince Edward County OPP with 282 handmade sets of hats and mittens, lovingly knitted for local children. These cozy creations will be distributed alongside new boots and winter outerwear to families who need a little extra help staying warm through the cold months. The Craft Group has proudly supported the program for over a decade.
The Keep Kids Warm initiative, led by the PEC OPP and neighbouring police detachments, helps working families and those in need purchase new winter clothing for their children. Registration for this year’s program took place in September, and parents who signed up can collect their child’s warm gear from Monday November 3rd to Wednesday November 5th between 9:00 AM and 8:00 PM. at the PEC OPP detachment (569 County Road 1).
This year, the program aims to assist approximately 1,500 children, from newborns to 12-year-olds. Key partners include Quinte Broadcasting, Belleville Police Service, the Township of Stirling-Rawdon, Marmora and Lake, Centre Hastings OPP, and Prince Edward OPP.
Families participating in the program come from across the region — including Prince Edward County, Belleville, Madoc, Marmora, and Deseronto — ensuring that children throughout the area can enjoy a warmer, brighter winter.
In the photo are from left to right:
Barb Sills, OPP Community Engagement Officer
Rosemary Moore, Volunteer Knitter
OPP Constable Alexandre Lebel
Lynda Jenkins, Volunteer Knitter
Cathy Lemkow, Manager Craft Group
Missing from photo are Volunteer Knitters Kathy Watt, Pam Huckle, Wilma Spiers, Angie Hall, Julie Yardley-Chang, Kathleen Hanna, and Diane Splaine.
