Peterborough Kinsmen Club Gives $4,000 In Grocery Gift Certificates to Celebrate Kin Kindness Day

As part of Kin Kindness Day, the Kinsmen Club of Peterborough gave 160 gift certificates worth $4,000 to shoppers at George Street No Frills and Brock Street FreshCo on Feb. 22.

Since its founding in 1920 as the only all-Canadian service organization, Kin Canada has donated over $1 billion to individuals, families and programs in need across Canada. Photo courtesy of Kinsmen Club of Peterborough.

The annual event promotes kindness and compassion to foster a culture of empathy and goodwill.

“Kin Kindness Day is a reflection of our mission to make a difference and give back to the community,” Barry Craft, Kinsmen Club of Peterborough president “Again this year, we were grateful for the opportunity to support local families and show our appreciation to the people of Peterborough through the simple gesture of helping with this week’s grocery bill.”

Unsuspecting shoppers were offered the gift certificates and after hearing the purpose through kindness, several people handed them back to those who needed them more.

“It’s an honor for our stores to partner with the Kinsmen Club in such a meaningful initiative,” said Scott Anderson, FreshCo store owner. “Times are tough and it was nice to see the smiles on my customers’ faces knowing that this week would be a little bit easier. We were proud again this year to help spread kindness and support the incredible work the Kinsmen do in this community.”

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The Kinsmen Santa Claus Parade Returns to Peterborough

After two years off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kinsmen Santa Claus Parade will return to Peterborough on Dec. 3.

File photo.

The theme for the 47th Kinsmen parade will be ‘Christmas Around the World.’

The parade will begin at 4:45 p.m. at Peterborough City Hall, making its way down George Street and ending on Prince Street. Typically the parade route ends at the Peterborough Memorial Centre, but as the Peterborough Petes have an OHL game that night, they will end on Prince Street instead.

Those who are interested in being apart of this year’s celebration are asked to complete and return the application to the Kinsmen Club of Peterborough. Registration deadline is Nov. 25.

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Kinsmen Club Donates $25,000 Towards New Zoo Train; New Bell Purchased From Community Funding

The Riverview Park & Zoo is one step closer to getting a new train for next year as the Kinsmen Club Of Peterborough donated $25,000 on Wednesday morning.

The Kinsmen Club has been a partner in the Park and Zoo since the organization’s beginning. Photo By Luke Best.

“When we heard about their campaign to replace the train ride, we knew it was a great fit for our club to get on board,” said Barry Craft, Kinsmen Club president. “Our membership support was unanimous for this project as we feel that Riverview Park and Zoo brings tremendous value to our community.”

“The community support groups have come out in a big way,” Jim Moloney, zoo manager and curator. “We've already started to see a good groundswell of support from individual community members but we're really depending upon that to take us the rest of the way.”

The train will cost $350,000 and 60 per cent of funding has already been achieved through community donations and Kiwanis snack bar profits.

The original bell was stolen overnight and reported to the public on April 30. Photo by Luke Best.

The zoo acquired a new bell after a community member found one online from a store in North Bay last month. The zoo purchased the bell and took roughly two weeks for its arrival.

It will be on the current train after a mount has been built for it. The bell will hopefully be outfitted for the new train next year according to Maloney.

The original bell was reported stolen overnight and was publically announced that it was missing on the morning of April 30.

Roughly $5,100 was raised for the bell’s replacement but cost $2,600 according to Cathy Mitchell, zoo program supervisor. The surplus will go towards the funding of the new train.

The zoo is offering dedication plates set in each seat compartment of the new train ride to help fund the new train. The seat dedications are $2,500 each that includes a personalized plaque of your name or in honour of someone else.

To be a sponsor or dedicate a seat bench on the train, please contact Cathy Mitchell, Program Supervisor 705-748-9301 x 2304 or cmitchell@riverviewparkandzoo.ca.

Donations to the ‘All Aboard the Riverview Railway Train Campaign’ can be made online.

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Peterborough Kinsmen Raise $20,000 For YWCA Crossroads Emergency Shelter For Gender-Based Violence

The Kinsmen Club of Peterborough donated $20,000 in support of Safe Nights at YWCA Crossroads Shelter this month announced on Thursday.

Barry Craft, Kinsmen Club of Peterborough president (left) and Kim Dolan, YWCA Peterborough Haliburton Executive Director (right).

The emergency shelter is for women and children experiencing gender-based violence.

"The Kinsmen Club of Peterborough is very fortunate to be in a position to provide financial assistance to the YWCA Crossroads Safe Nights program,” said Barry Craft, Kinsmen Club of Peterborough president, “This donation is a result of the tremendous community support we have experienced with the Kinsmen Super TV Bingo recently.”

YWCA Crossroads Shelter has remained open throughout the pandemic.

The need for violence against women services has risen by approximately 30 per cent since the onset of the COVID-19 according to the YWCA.

“This wonderful demonstration of support will provide just over 300 Safe Nights for women and children in our community who have no safe place to turn,” said Kim Dolan, YWCA Peterborough Haliburton Executive Director. “We’re immensely grateful for the Kinsmen’s support and continued dedication to our local community.”

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CMHA HKPR Receives Combined $60K Donation From Two Local Organizations

The Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge branch (CMHAHKPR) received a $50,000 donation from the Kinsmen Club of Peterborough, and a $10,000 grant from the Peterborough Police Services Board Auction Fund.

Photo courtesy of CMHAHKPR

The donations, both received on Monday, will support the new Mobile Mental Health and Addictions Clinic being launched in 2022.

“We thank the Kinsmen Club of Peterborough for their generous donation which will support our new Mobile Mental Health and Addictions Clinic,” said Mark Graham, Chief Executive Officer, CMHA HKPR. “The new clinic will bring specialized mobile mental health and addictions care to underserviced and under-resourced communities.”

The clinic will operate within a custom-built retrofitted bus, travelling to communities across the Four Counties. With a multidisciplinary team and collaboration from community partners, it will provide individuals with a variety of services together under one roof, including mental health and addictions services, psychiatric support and follow-up, sexual health and addictions education and support, and basic primary care and health screening for vulnerable populations.

Photo courtesy of CMHAHKPR.

“We’re pleased to have been selected by the Peterborough Police Services Board as a recipient of the Auction Fund Grant, which will support our new Mobile Mental Health and Addictions Clinic,” said Graham. “The launch of this program is a monumental step in bringing specialized mobile mental health and addictions care to underserviced and under-resourced communities.”

“The Peterborough Police Services Board is pleased to support the Canadian Mental Health Association’s new Mobile Mental Health and Addictions Clinic with an auction fund grant. The Police Board and the Police Service recognize and understand the need for effective supports and programs that will help support our fellow citizens who are struggling with their mental health and/or addiction to substances,” said Bob Hall, Chair of the Peterborough Police Services Board. “The CMHA is to be commended for this project and we hope that this grant will be part of a community solution.”

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Deets On The 20th Annual Charity Fireworks Sale

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1,000 Rubber Ducks To Be Released In Jackson Creek On Canada Day

On Canada Day, there will be a special rubber duck race in support of breast cancer research and treatment at PRHC put on by the Kinsmen Club of Peterborough.

A total of 1,000 numbered rubber ducks will be released at Charlotte Mews in the downtown. The rubber ducks will race down Jackson Creek to the finish line beside the Holiday Inn at Little Lake.  

Tickets will be sold that correspond to the numbered ducks, for $5 a duck or $20 for a flock of 5 ducks.   

Prizes will be awarded for the first 3 ducks to finish: $1,000 for 1st, $350 for 2nd and $150 for 3rd. 
 
Tickets are available at the following locations (or contact canadadayduckrace@hotmail.com for more info):

* Lansdowne Place Mall, June 9th & 10th
* Flat Rate Realty, 725 Park St South
* Craftworks, 124 Lindsay Rd
* Air Force Association 428 Wing, 274 King St

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