Perfectly Preserved Breaks Another Record for Local Hospital Care
Date: January 2, 2026
Proving once again that records are meant to be broken, Prince Edward County’s Perfectly Preserved volunteer group has announced its biggest year yet, raising $35,000 in support of the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary’s purchase of a new echocardiogram machine.
What began 13 years ago as a simple bake sale has grown into a year-round, small-batch cooking and baking operation powered by nine dedicated volunteers. Together, this small but mighty group continues to turn jars of preserves into meaningful investments in local healthcare.
Thousands of Hours, One Jar at a Time
Over the past year, the Perfectly Preserved team contributed roughly 4,000 volunteer hours, producing and selling 3,555 jars of jam, jelly, pickles, mustard, relish, and chutney. Their efforts spanned all seasons and dozens of community events across Prince Edward County.
“This year, we tried several new recipes that were extremely well received,” said spokesperson Dorothy Speirs. One standout success came from a donation of Wellington Bay Honey, which inspired hundreds of Wellington Bay Honey Butter Tarts that sold out quickly at both Thanksgiving and Christmas sales.
The group officially kicked off the season with a Valentine’s Day special at PEFAC, featuring jam-filled, heart-shaped cookies. From there, Perfectly Preserved could be found all summer at the Picton Town Hall Farmers’ Market, Wellington Community Market, and special events such as the Milford Fair, the Women’s Institute Art and Craft Sale, and the Harvest Festival at the Crystal Palace—culminating in a festive Christmas sale at Rotary Hall in December.
Local Ingredients, Community Support
Local produce remains at the heart of Perfectly Preserved’s success. From Greenridge Farms’ pickled asparagus to zucchini relish made with vegetables grown in members’ own gardens, the group relies heavily on donations from County farmers, gardeners, and residents.
Their artisanal jams continue to draw strong interest from both locals and visitors, with more than 1,250 jars sold across a dozen varieties, including the timely and popular “Elbows Up” blend.
But the year’s clear bestseller? Pickled beets.
The group also credits the many residents who return jars for reuse, helping reduce waste while keeping production costs manageable—another example of how community participation fuels their impact.
A Lasting Impact on Local Healthcare
Funds raised by Perfectly Preserved directly support equipment purchases that enhance patient care at Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital. In recent years, their record-setting contributions have helped fund critical diagnostic and monitoring equipment for the hospital’s emergency department, reinforcing the Auxiliary’s long-term goal of improving care close to home.
“Considering we do this by selling one $10 jar at a time, it’s a remarkable achievement,” Speirs has noted in past years, a sentiment that continues to ring true as each new record is set.
Looking ahead, the group shows no signs of slowing down.
“We hope you’ll look for us under the big red tent in 2026,” said Jane Winwood, Perfectly Preserved Manager.
After all, in Prince Edward County, even records come with a side of jam.
Comments