Registration Open For Third Annual GPHSF Charity Bonspiel

Registration is now open for the third annual Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF) Charity Bonspiel, held on Feb. 15 at the Peterborough Curling Club.

Photo courtesy of GPHSF.

“We are really excited for our 3rd Bonspiel in partnership with Imprinted Apparel Store. This event continues to grow each year. The response remains incredibly positive. We have a great time putting it on and being part of this event” said Vince Bierworth, GPHSF executive director. “Funds raised from this event will continue our mission to broaden health equity and access to healthcare for the residents in Peterborough City and County as well as Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations.  Funds will support our partnership with the Peterborough Family Health Team, along with many other community organizations we work with.”

Registration is $300, with a $60 tax receipt. The day includes two games along with breakfast and lunch. There are $2,000 in prizes to be won provided by Imprinted Apparel Store and $500 in prizes provided by Goldline. Other activities such as trivia challenges, raffle draws, cornhole boards and many other opportunities to win prizes will be at the event.

Participants can register online. Only 24 teams are available. GPHSF notes that participants should have some experience with the game and their equipment. They will not be able to provide on-ice training for beginners.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Hometown PTBO: Heidi Westbye Competing At the International Meeting of Young Beekeepers in Dubai and Raising Funds For Her Trip

This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with 15-year-old Heidi Westbye about being selected to compete in the International Meeting of Young Beekeepers in Dubai this December for Team Canada, how she got into beekeeping and how she is raising money to fund her trip.

To donate to Heidi and her team's cause, follow the link.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Kawartha Food Share 'Porch Pirates For Good' Food Drive Pillaging Peterborough This Saturday

Kawartha Food Share (KFS) is pillaging Peterborough for another year as part of its ‘Porch Pirates For Good’ food drive to restock its empty shelves occurring this Saturday.

In the last four years, the campaign brought in over 165,000 pounds of food and over $15,000 in monetary donations. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Households are asked to leave a bag of non-perishable food items on their front porch for the Porch Pirates to collect starting at 9 a.m.

The number of clients using food banks has reached an all-time high throughout the nation, according to KFS. They continue to state that the rising cost of food and supply chain shortages have affected their clients, donors and purchasing power.

The following is a list of items requested for donation from KFS:

• Peanut Butter

• Canned tuna

• Canned vegetables and canned fruit

• Individually wrapped school snacks

• Pasta and pasta sauce

• Alpha-getti, Kraft Dinner and Chef Boyardee

• Breakfast cereal

• Gluten free items – like pasta, cookies, oats etc.

• Canned soup/stew

• Feminine hygiene products

• Diapers

• Monetary Donations (can be made online or during item collection)

For every $1 donated, $3 worth of food can be purchased, according to KFS. Volunteers can collect cheques or cash during their pickups on October 26th.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Organization Raising Funds For Inclusive Playground to Be Built In Ennismore

To remove barriers for children to be able to play together equally, Accessible Playgrounds Ontario (APO) is raising $250,000 to build an inclusive playground at the Ennismore Waterfront Park in Ennismore.

Grant (left) pushing her son Jude (right) on a swing. According to Grant, 38 per cent of Canadian children with a disability almost never get physical exercise outside of school. Photo courtesy of APO.

Julie Grant of APO is spearheading the project, ‘Jude's Joy,’ named after her three-year-old son Jude, who was born with cerebral palsy.

According to Grant, there are no accessible playgrounds in Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

“The closest fully accessible/inclusive playground to Selwyn is 64 km away in Port Hope and the second closest is Port Perry,” she explained.

Jude cannot independently walk and requires a walker to travel. Grant says several playground features are not as accessibility-friendly as they seem.

Most accessible playgrounds have rubber surfacing and intentionally designed play elements such as ramps. Roughly half of the money raised goes towards that surfacing, and Grant attributes the wood chips as a cheaper alternative.

“The most common barrier at playgrounds is the surfacing choice, which is often wood chips, which limits Jude's ability at two to three years old to use his walker independently,” she explained. “Secondly, the absence of ground-level play elements does not permit the learning opportunities that fully abled people can experience. Therefore, potential learning is lost.”

The other half of the funds raised have already been deliberated on, as Grant explained how else the money will be spent.

“Considerations include a ramp onto the main play structure, a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round, an accessible swing with a harness, various music elements at ground level, and a play-tot structure for younger children from 18-plus months.”

So far, $55,000 has been raised for the initiative. Grant is seeking more from the community to get closer to the goal.

“Our journey began with an initial donation and partnership with the Ennismore Optimist Club. We are currently reaching out to all of the local service clubs in Peterborough and the Kawarthas to inform these organizations of our initiative and build relationships to support this venture,” she explained. “We recognize this playground will draw from our entire region. We also are using our donor packages to introduce our project to surrounding businesses and organizations.”

Donations can be made through the Township of Selwyn in person or by mail via debit, cheque, or cash; Canada Helps; or by cheque to the Optimist Club of Ennismore.

“This provides the opportunity for the entire family, with members of varying abilities, to share in the play experience,” explained Grant. “It is inclusive, not exclusive.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Peterborough Humane Society's Wraps Up 50/50 Lottery & Marlin Travel ‘Ruff’le With Record-Breaking Numbers

The Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) has wrapped up its’ Fall 2024 PHS 50/50 Lottery with an all-time high record of $43,905, completed on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Humane Society.

Melissa of Peterborough was announced as the 505/50 winner and claimed the $21,950 grand prize.

The PHS 50/50 Lottery featured an additional raffle draw, the Marlin Travel ‘Ruff’le, for a $5,000 gift certificate for use at Marlin Travel Peterborough won by Elaine Mason.

The PHS 50/50 Lottery & Marlin Travel ‘Ruff’le ran from Sept. 14 to Oct. 15 raising $36,312 for needy animals at Peterborough Humane Society. Tickets

“Once again Peterborough and the Kawarthas have answered the call to help animals at Peterborough Humane Society; we are humbled by their kindness,” said Shawn Morey, PHS executive director. “We are so grateful to everyone who bought tickets, the small businesses that promoted the lottery and to the community who helped spread the word. Everyone had a hand in making this a great success.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Women’s Business Network Annual Fundraising Holiday Gala and Auction Announced For Dec. 4

The Women’s Business Network (WBN) of Peterborough has announced its annual Holiday Gala and Auction, taking place on Dec. 4 at the Peterborough Holiday Inn.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This year’s event features an Online Auction from Nov. 20 to Dec. 5 at 6 p.m, hosted on the Nonprofit Bidding platform.

Proceeds from this year’s gala will support YWCA Peterborough Haliburton's vital programs and services, focusing on women experiencing gender-based violence according to a press release. The WBN has set a fundraising goal of $15,000 to help provide essential support for women and children escaping abusive situations in our community.

The WBN seeks donations for the auction and encourages the community to contribute items such as gift certificates, tickets, memberships or items valued at $25 or more. Donors will receive recognition through their company name/logo displayed alongside their donated items and exposure across WBN’s social media platforms and during the event.

Items can be donated online.

Once the auction closes, a pick-up can be arranged with the winning bidder through the auction site.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Photos: AON Inc. Hosts 'Taste of the Gardens' In Food Vendor Showcase; Held Bake Sale To Benefit Kawartha Food Share

AON Inc. held a double feature of events with a ‘Taste of the Gardens’ food showcase and a ‘Fall Bake Sale’ held at Princess Gardens and Empress Gardens respectively on Thursday afternoon.

Teri Penfound, Colio Estate Wines area manager (left); Ray Barlow, AON Inc. VP (middle) and Dan Leal, director of dining services (right) enjoying a wine sample. All Photos by David Tuan Bui.

The Taste of the Gardens is a food showcase with over 20 vendors at Princess Gardens. It allows residents to sample various foods and drinks served at AON Inc.’s long-term care homes.

“It's bringing a food show to our residents so they get a chance to sample different ideas for the menus,” said Dan Leal, AON Inc. director of dining services. “Our vendors have come to showcase some of their new products with feedback for their fall menu.”

The feedback allows AON Inc. to adjust its menus from the feedback to better suit the needs of the residents and mix up the food choices available throughout the year.

“A lot of the vendors have commented on how the residents are enjoying their products and it's nice to see that the products that they are promoting and selling are bringing smiles to someone's face,” explained Leal. “They're enjoying it and they're getting honest feedback.”

Ashlee Aitken, Kawartha Food Share general manager (left) helps a customer select baked goods made by AON Inc. staff. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Simultaneously, Empress Gardens hosted a bake sale, with all proceeds benefitting Kawartha Food Share.

The baked goods included brownies, cookies, pies, haystacks, tarts and more, all made by AON Inc. staff.

Samples of baked goods, coffee, tea, and lemonade were also available to the public.

$1,575 was raised as a result of the bake sale fundraiser.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Peterborough Concert Band Performing In Benefit Concert Fundraiser for the New Canadians Centre On Oct. 27

The Peterborough Concert Band (PCB) will perform in a fundraising concert with all proceeds to benefit the New Canadians Centre (NCC) on Oct. 27 at Market Hall from 2:30 to 4 p.m.

Photo courtesy of the NCC.

In 2023-2024, NCC reports that more than 2,000 newcomers received assistance from their organization. It was a 50 per cent increase over the previous year and was the highest number of clients ever. The number included 1216 new clients according to the NCC.

“While Canada remains a global leader in welcoming newcomers, we are sobered by the local and global challenges and conflicts affecting all of us and often the newcomer community even more acutely. The services the NCC provides to clients are making resettlement in Peterborough a little more bearable. The top 10 countries from which newcomers arrive are Syria, Ukraine, India, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Philippines, Iran, Mexico, and Pakistan,” according to a statement from the NCC.

The Peterborough Concert Band is one of the longest-running concert bands in Canada. Their Juno-nominated conductor and composer, Saman Shahi, will lead the band through selections ranging from classical to contemporary.

Following the performance, a reception will be organized by NCC.

Tickets are available through the Market Hall box office, their website or Peterborough Concert Band.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

United Way Launches 'Double your Difference' Donation Match Challenge

United Way Peterborough & District has announced a ‘Double Your Difference’ donation match challenge from their 2024-25 Community Campaign.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

According to a press release, an anonymous donor has made the donation match challenge possible.

All local donations made by individuals are eligible. United Way states that the parameters around this donation match challenge are determined based on whether you gave to last year’s Campaign (donations placed between April 1. 2023 and March 31st, 2024).

If you did not donate to United Way Peterborough & District in 2023-24: Donations of any amount made by community members who did not donate to United Way Peterborough & District in 2023-24 will be 100 per cent matched.

“We are inviting community members who have not previously donated to United Way Peterborough & District to give back to their community in a big way,” said Shirley Turner, United Way Campaign Chair. “New donors can ‘Double Your Difference’ by giving any amount that is within their means. No donation is too small, and through this matching challenge your support will be twice as impactful.”

If you did donate to United Way Peterborough & District in 2023-24: Community members who donated to United Way Peterborough & District in 2023-24 can participate in the donation matching challenge as well. Anyone who increases their donation by at least 10 per cent from last year will have the increased amount matched. For example, if someone gave $1,200 last year and increases their gift to $1,320, the additional $120 will be matched.

“Inflation has been hitting us all over the last few years. Rising costs have especially impacted the agencies that we fund and the vulnerable clients that they serve,” said Jim Russell, United Way CEO. “Our campaign goal was set at 10 per cent higher than last year, so we are asking our current supporters to increase their donation by at least 10 per cent to help us achieve our $1.5 million goal and continue to meet the need for services in our community.”

United Way Peterborough & District’s 2024-25 Campaign is currently underway. Several large workplace campaigns, such as Trent University and GM Financial, launched in late September. In addition to workplace launches, community initiatives, such as LCBO's give-at-the-till program, are also underway for a limited time. United Way will provide the community with an update on campaign progress later this month.

Donations are accepted online or at the United Way Peterborough & District office at 277 Stewart St.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Community Living Trent Highlands and Kawartha Food Share Receive $5,000 Each From Inaugural Mayoral Golf Tournament Fundraiser

As a result of the fundraising efforts of the inaugural Peterborough Mayoral Invitational Charity Golf Tournament, $5,000 each was donated to Community Living Trent Highlands (CLTH) and Kawartha Food Share (KFS).

(From left to right) Blake Ulrich, Kawartha Golf Club head golf professional; Tracey Switzer, CLTH director; Mayor Jeff Leal; Ashlee Aitken, KFS general manager and Nigel Lister, regional manager of Market Deelopment of Cambium INc. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The event took place on Sept. 9 at Kawartha Golf Club and was originally announced by Mayor Jeff Leal on Aug. 13.

“I want to sincerely thank all the participants and sponsors who so generously supported these two important causes in our community,” he said. “Special thanks to Nigel Lister for organizing the tournament and to Blake Ulrich, Jamie Carter and all the staff at Kawartha Golf Club for their hard work to make the event run smoothly.”

The tournament drew 80 golfers that saw community members, local businesses, and city leaders for a day of friendly competition and fundraising.

“We are so appreciative of Mayor Leal selecting KFS as one of the recipients of the Inaugural Peterborough Mayoral Invitational,” said Ashlee Aitken, KFS general manager. “Food Insecurity is unfortunately on the rise in Peterborough and County and this financial support will allow us to supply our 37 member agencies with much needed food items to assist in feeding nearly 14,000 individuals. Thank you to all who participated in making this a fun day for two fantastic causes.”

“We are so pleased to have been chosen and to have a role on such a tremendous day,” Teresa Jordan, CLTF executive director “Despite the rain, everyone was in high spirits, generous and interested. The personal connection that Mayor Leal has with Community Living helped to shine a light on what we aim to do each day in people's lives. It was a wonderful event, and we are so grateful for the support.”

Leal says he plans to run the event again next year.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.