Albert Watson Bennett was born in Hopewell Cape in 1864. He studied law in Dorchester and was admitted to the bar of New Brunswick in 1885. Throughout his career he saw many different life situations and witnessed the inequality of health services. In 1960 Judge Bennett made a large bequest in his will to the Albert County Hospital which was realized in 1973 following his wife’s death.

In 1974 the “Friends of the Albert County Hospital Inc.” was organized as a foundation to receive and administer gifts and bequests. In 1992, regionalization was introduced in the province of New Brunswick. As a result, what was then known as the South-East Health Care Corporation was given control of all hospital funds in its region. The Board of Trustees of the South-East Health Care Corporation wanted to ensure that the Bennett Funds and all other donated funds be used exclusively for the Albert County Hospital.

An Advisory Committee was created to advise the South-East Regional Health Corporation as to the disbursement of all donated funds. The Advisory Committee continuously lobbied the Corporation and the provincial government for the development of an incorporated foundation to manage these funds and future contributions. As a result, in 1998, the Bennett and Albert County Hospital Foundation was incorporated as a registered charity.

Today, all funds are administered by the Bennett and Albert County Health Care Foundation. Monies are acquired through donations and investment income.

Donations are raised through various fundraising initiatives for specific equipment needs such as; addressed direct mail, mail drop to all households, face-to-face personal solicitations, staff appeal (ACCHC), fundraising events as part of our
annual appeals.

As well, the Foundation supports continuing education for staff of the Albert County Community Health Centre that will in turn benefit patients of the Centre, supports local health care initiatives such as contributing to the new Van Fund for the Forestdale Nursing Home, sponsors some community initiatives such as the Go-Girl Festival at Riverside School and most recently the purchase of pedometers for all Kindergarten to Grade 5 students at Riverside Consolidated School, and much more!


Thank you for helping us make a difference in our Community Health Centre for our community!