Peterborough Blogs
Couture Candy PTBO Celebrates Grand Opening on Saturday
/Couture Candy PTBO’s second location on Lansdowne Place hosted its grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday.
The new storefront is located between Journeys and Claire’s at the bottom of the escalator. Couture Candy PTBO has been donated the space from the mall until Oct. 3 to aid in their ‘Cancer Care is Sweet’ fundraiser.
$1 from select products will go towards the Peterborough Regional Health Center Foundation for cancer care with a goal of $10,000.
“We're gonna crush it. I know we will,“ said owner Lisa Couture. “We actually have some fun challenges for the community to get more donations. There's a cool hair-cutting challenge that's will be coming up.”
Donations can also be made at both stores or online.
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough Children Receive 73 Fully-Loaded Backpacks From Local Accounting Firm
/Getting back to school just got easier for local children of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough as accounting firm Gauvreau CPA gave them fully stocked 73 backpacks with school supplies on Friday afternoon.
Several employees at the firm have grown up benefiting from the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and the backpacks were a way to help the next generation of children.
“We have a team dedicated to helping advance our community,” said Robert Gauvreau, Gauvreau CPA CEO. “We have a few people on our team who are connected with the Peterborough Big Brothers Big Sisters so it's got a special spot in our heart.”
Students attending high school or elementary school and part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program were eligible for the free backpacks.
Backpacks were filled with supplies such as a lunch bag, sandwich containers writing utensils, glue sticks, scissors and erasers.
Children and parents picked up the supplies throughout the afternoon and were able to select what bags they wanted on a first-come,first-serve basis.
“Everything isn't just about business all the time but the fact that our team is positively influencing the outcomes of our community to me, that is the biggest win,” said Gauvreau.
Curve Lake First Nation Community Fundraising For New Wheelchair For Elder Dorothy Taylor
/Elder Dorothy Taylor is a prominent member of the Curve Lake First Nation community, who works as an Ojibwe traditional Elder, hand drummer and water environmental activist. After being diagnosed with Limb and Girdle Muscular Dystrophy in December 2000, members of the community are rallying together in hopes to purchase her a new wheelchair to allow her to continue doing the work she loves to do.
“Dorothy is so lovely, so vibrant,” said Alix Taylor, a member of Curve Lake First Nation. “ She always says she has her rose coloured glasses on. Despite having physical ailments she always makes an effort to get out and share her knowledge.”
Alix met Dorothy 12 years ago, when Dorothy was in the early stages of starting ‘Sacred Water Circle’.
Sacred Water Circle is a group founded by Dorothy. It is a volunteer run, not for profit initiative that has brought together Indigenous and non- Indigenous people to work together for the benefit of water. The group strives to spread the message ‘Water is Life’ by hosting Water Walks and spreading knowledge throughout the area.
In addition to being a water activist Dorothy is an Ojibwe traditional Elder.
She spends her days sharing her knowledge of Indigenous culture with Indigenous children in Curve Lake and involved with Family Services.
Dorothy can also be found at local Pow Wow's, walking her dog on the beach and visiting community members.
Since being diagnosed, Dorothy’s mobility has been greatly affected, says Alix.
“The disease she has is progressive,” she said. “Her mobility continues to slowly deteriorate but she still wants to continue doing what she has been doing, she wants to continue educating and sharing her knowledge.”
Alix says the wheelchair she is currently using isn’t fit for rural areas.
“She can’t do the things she does in her normal life without this. Sure, she could continue to share her knowledge, but she deserves this. Her quality of life depends on it.”
Alix says they have been applying to funding though none of it will cover the full cost of the chair.
Alix, with volunteers from the Sacred Water Circle, want to raise $32,000.00 to purchase Dorothy a wheelchair called a Magic Mobility Extreme X8.
To date they have raised over $8,000 through the GoFundMe. They hope to plan in person fundraisers in the fall, which will be announced via Sacred Water Circle social media page, or the GoFundMe page.
Local Candy Shop is Donated Mall Storefront To Help Cancer Fundraiser
/A sweet deal for Lisa Couture and her candygram store ‘Couture Candy PTBO’ as they were donated storefront space in Lansdowne Place to aid in their ‘Cancer Care is Sweet’ fundraiser announced Thursday.
The new storefront is located in Lansdowne Place between Journeys and Claire’s at the bottom of the escalator. Couture Candy PTBO is occupying the space until the end of the year.
The mall contacted Couture via e-mail about being given the storefront space which came as an unexpected yet pleasant surprise. The mall recognized the candygram store’s community efforts which resulted in the offer Couture could not refuse.
“They were figuring out how to work with us and admired our business because it’s so community-driven,” explained Couture. “It’s expensive to be in the mall and he thought our campaign was a perfect opportunity and they have an empty space.”
The fundraising proceeds go towards the Peterborough Regional Health Center Foundation for cancer care with a goal of $10,000. The campaign started on June 21 and runs until Oct. 3. However, if the campaign is running strong and donations continue near the end date, it will continue according to Couture.
“$10,000 is a lot for a small business so every little bit helps,” said Couture.
The shop is selling select bags of candy where $1 of each product sold goes towards the foundations. Several charity candy bags feature freeze-dried brand candy and assorted mixes.
Donations can also be made at the store or online.
Their downtown location will remain in its original location with no plans to move said Couture. No dates have been announced for its grand opening but will have the same operating hours as the mall.
Local Man Continues to Fundraise for Ukrainian Efforts With Community's Help
/After raising over $17,000 in a soccer equipment sale for Ukrainian efforts, Peterborough’s Victor Waselenko is continuing his aid asking the community’s help for $100,000.
The funds go towards the Red Cross in a campaign called “PeterboroughHelpsUkraine.”
The initial soccer equipment fundraiser — selling soccer apparel, footwear and equipment at half price — was held last Saturday at Hybrid Sports. The $10,000 goal was easily surpassed as the event raised $17,421.50 that has been placed into the fundraiser account.
“It was a great day and the people of Peterborough were extremely supportive,” said Waselenko.
The first-generation Ukranian said he wanted to create a medium for the public to help Ukraine.
“I know that people want to help and contribute but they sometimes do not know where or how to do that,” said Waselenko.
If you would like to donate to Waselenko’s fundraiser, click here.
Local Man Holds Soccer Equipment Sale To Support Ukrainian Efforts
/It did not take long for Victor Waselenko to aid his home country of Ukraine as he is holding a one-day soccer equipment sale in support of the Red Cross for humanitarian efforts this Saturday.
The cash-only sale is at Hybrid Sports at 1575 Chemong Rd. and runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Waselenko used to own the soccer apparel store “Soccer Plus” located at 139 George St N. — until closing in 2017 — where his leftover jerseys, apparel, footwear and equipment are sold at the one-day event at 50 per cent off.
All proceeds will go towards Ukrainian charity efforts according to Waselenko.
“My goal is to walk out of here with here with empty boxes," he said. "I would love nothing more than if we sold everything that was here but we have an aggressive goal of $10,000 that we'd like to raise."
After the sale, Waselenko says he wants to raise a total of $100,000 for the Red Cross with the help of the community.
@ptbo_canada A Ukranian Fleming College faculty member is selling tons of soccer gear at low prices to help support Urkranian efforts! #ptbo #ptbocanada #ukraine🇺🇦 #ukraine #soccer #futbol #charity #sports #fundrasier #peterborough ♬ Ole! Ole! Soccer! - Music Star