Local Realtors Hold Second-Annual Lemonade Stand To Benefit Sick Kids Hospital

Local realtors and brothers Dan and Dion Gemmiti brought back an old classic in a lemonade stand to raise money for Sick Kids Hospital on Brealey Drive on Friday morning.

Brothers Dan Gemmiti (left) and Dion Gemmiti (right) sharing an ice-cold lemonade with 20-year-old Manny Frew-Clarke (middle). visitors could get photo ops in a sports car or in front of a trailer with posters of the lemonade stand. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The stand began at 8 a.m. and people were lined up to get a delicious summer drink and donate money prior to the opening. All proceeds went towards Sick Kids Hospital. Visitors could ‘donate what you wanted’ while they got to enjoy lemonade, baked goods and candy that were available at the stand.

Aside from the snacks and refreshments, the public was invited to share their Sick Kids’ stories and take pictures for this one-day event. Hearing the various experiences that visitors told the Gemmitis was rewarding and inspirational when they put on the lemonade stand.

“We're hearing all kinds of amazing stories from people that have been there and people that are currently there who are joining us at our lemonade stand,” he said. “Even strangers are putting in large amounts of money so it's just an incredible day.”

”It's pretty hyped up the whole time but there are a few moments where we met a girl today that's in and out of Sick Kids and you can't help but get a little emotional hearing it,” said Dan. “It's a very powerful day.”

The brothers have had a close family member who has used Sick Kids Hospital’s services but know several people who have benefitted from it.

“We're blessed to have a big community here but there's so many family and friends that we know that have been there and have benefitted from that great hospital so it really is a great place,” explained Dion. “It's where miracles happen and Peterborough's been great to support it.”

The jar of donations was almost full in the last hour of the lemonade stand but there was no goal for the fundraiser according to the Gemmitis.

“It's not goal-driven by the money, it's goal-driven by the feel-good stories,” explained Dion. “Our heart is full and it will be for a long time. The money is secondary to bringing everybody together.”

The fundraising lemonade stand was the second consecutive year the brothers ran it. They aim to continue it annually for as long as possible.

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Gauvreau CPA Kickstarts Peterborough Bigs Children With 101 Filled Knapsacks For Back-To-School

The children of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough (Peterborough Bigs) are getting a head start for their classes this September as they were given 101 backpacks filled with school supplies by accounting firm Gauvreau CPA on Friday.

Savannah Thompson, 10, has her pick of the litter of 101 backpacks in the Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory 'Gears Up for Good' initiative. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The initiative, ‘Gear Up for Good,’ began last year as 73 backpacks were given to local kids affiliated with Peterborough Bigs. New this year, Gauvreau CPA also included complimentary haircuts.

Local promotional supplier Ricart Branded Apparel and Promo, donated water bottles as part of the fully-loaded backpacks.

“Every child deserves the chance to excel in their education and pursue their dreams,” said Robert Gauvreau, Gauvreau CPA founder. “We are humbled by the support of Ricart and our community and we're determined to make this year's 'Gear Up for Good' campaign even more impactful than before.”

Children and parents picked up the supplies throughout the day and selected their knapsacks on a first-come, first-serve basis.

“Together, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of these incredible kids,” said Gauvreau. “By joining forces, we're not only equipping them with school supplies but also with the belief that their dreams are worth pursuing.”

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First Little Lakers Night Raises Over $6,700 For Five Counties Children's Centre

The Peterborough Lakers in their ‘Drive For Five’ quest takes time to help the community as their first-ever Little Lakers Night from July 27 raised $6,784 for Five Counties Children’s Centre (FCCC) Building Abilities For Life campaign, announced on Thursday.

Five Counties kids Mya (left) and Elsie (right) pose with Peterborough Century 21 Lakers mascot, Teddy, during Little Lakers Night on July 27. Many Five Counties clients, families, volunteers, staff and supporters took part in the first-ever event held during the Lakers’ final regular season home game. Little Lakers Night raised nearly $6,800 for Five Counties Children’s Centre. Photo courtesy of FCCC.

The fund helps FCCC reduce wait times and provide priority treatment services like speech and occupational therapies for children and youth in the region according to a press release.

“We are so thrilled to receive this support from the Peterborough Century 21 Lakers, during their drive to win a fifth consecutive Mann Cup title,” said Lyn Giles, FCCC director of fund development. “We are extremely grateful to fans, donors, supporters, volunteers, staff and others who came out to support the first-ever Little Lakers Night. It was a great success and we look forward to continuing our partnership with the Lakers for this annual event.”

Funds were raised during the game through donations, t-shirt sales, a silent auction, facepainting, sponsorships and proceeds from that night’s 50/50 draw during the team’s last home regular-season game.

Several FCCC kids and families attended the game and also played roles during the pre-game ball drop and singing of the national anthem. 

During the game, four FCCC kids took part in the Peterborough Lakers Backstage Experience. They received a behind-the-scenes tour from Lakers board member John D’Altoe, got high-fives from team members on their way to the field, toured the video control room, helped in-arena hosts with giveaways and met the Lakers’ mascot, Teddy.

The partnership between FCCC and the Lakers continues during the club’s playoff run. The team’s Ticket Assist Program means Five Counties kids and their families get free tickets to every Lakers’ home game.

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Rotary Club of Peterborough Brings Back Fore the Kids Golf Tournament For Sept. 14

The Fore the Kids Golf Tournament is making its return on Sept. 14, at Bellmere Winds Golf Course in Keene, announced by The Rotary Club of Peterborough.

Tournament proceeds are going towards the Five Counties Children’s Centre.

“We're excited to work with Linwood Homes again this year on the Fore the Kids Golf Tournament to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and youth in need within our communities,” said Wayne Harding, tournament Chair and former Rotary president. “Five Counties Children's Centre holds a special place in our hearts and this golf tournament serves as a beacon of hope, uniting individuals and businesses in a spirit of giving and camaraderie.”

All golfers are invited to register for $150 per person with a shotgun start of 1 p.m. The fee includes a round of golf, a cart, lunch and the chance to win hole prizes. Prizes include exclusive golf lessons, lake toys and a chance at driving home in a brand-new car from Jack McGee Chevrolet-Cadillac!

The tournament also features a raffle to win items such as a Plauski Square Stern canoe and paddles. Tickets are $10 apiece or three for $20.

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GoFundMe Created For Local Teen Struggling With Mental Health To Get Therapy Dog

Local teen Payge Creasy has community support behind her to get a therapy dog for her mental health as donors are contributing to cover the costs in a GoFundMe created last Thursday.

GoFundMe photo.

The GoFundMe was created by her aunt Candice Williamson with a goal of $4,500 to pay for the therapy dog named Kyle. He is supposed to help Creasy during her panic attacks and other episodes when she is suffering from her mental health according to the Williamson on the GoFundMe. It continues to say that Creasy has suffered from mental health issues for the past few years including a six-week inpatient stay.

Alternatively, another fundraising effort on Sipology was created by Krystal C Daskewich, another one of Creasey’s aunts, entitled, ‘Paws For Payge.’ Roughly 40 per cent of the proceeds from the tea and tea accessory sales go towards Cresey’s campaign.

The teen was also an entrepreneur, selling handmade bath products with her company ‘Payge’s Paradise’ which began back in April 2019. Her handmade, chemical-free bath products include body butter, body scrubs, shower steamers, bath salts and candles.

Both fundraisers say that only money is holding the teen back from being able to get Kyle and help her cope with her mental health better.

The GoFundMe has already raised $855 of its $4,500 goal since the publication of this article.

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Photos: 'Williams Weekend' Memorial Golf Tournament Pays Tribute To Five-Year Old Boy Who Passed Away Last Year In Accident

There were 155 golfers who paid respects in a memorial golf tournament for five-year-old William Rock Gardner at the Bellmere Winds Golf Resort in Keene who passed away in an accident last year.

Elizabeth, Aurora and Matthew Gardner on the putting green of Bellmere Winds Golf Resort with the memorial poster of William in his memorial tournament. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

William passed away on Villiers Line just outside of the resort due to a golf cart malfunction. His parents and their friends sustained injuries while his sister Aurora was unharmed. The parents were admitted to the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) following the accident and once they were released, visited William at Sick Kids Hospital. They opted to let him go due to the severe brain damage he suffered.

Despite heavy rain that started in the morning until mid-afternoon, golfers braved the weather to show their support for William.

“We're really grateful for all the support despite all the rain,” said Elizabeth Gardner, William’s mother. “Golfers continued to come in and they're playing through while smiling and laughing.”

Last year, a silent auction was held where the proceeds went toward the family. Saturday’s golf tournament had a raffle and auction in support of Sick Kids Hospital (where William passed away) and PRHC. Prizes such as Toronto Zoo tickets, hockey jerseys, a children’s wagon bundle and a golf and dinner getaway were some big-ticket items auctioned off.

Despite being overwhelmed with emotion, the family expressed their gratitude to all the supporters and hosts of William’s memory prior to the raffle draws.

“Despite everything, despite the sadness, we're so grateful for everyone who supports our family and can remember our funny, little sweet boy,” said Elizabeth.

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Family Hosts Memorial Golf Tournament To Honour Their Five-Year-Old Son Passing Away From Golf Cart Accident

UPDATED: 9 p.m. 23-07-23

A tragic golf cart incident that resulted in the life of five-year-old William Gardner has got his family to create a memorial golf tournament to honour him at Bellmere Winds Golf Resort.

(from left to right) Elizabeth, Aurora, William and Matt Gardner. The family had lived overseas for the past 15 years and often came back during the summer season. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Gardner.

The William Rock Gardner Golf Memorial tournament in Keene is slated for July 29 and will run from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. with prizes and draws from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The incident occurred a year ago. The Gardner family and their two friends were at the lower half of Bellemere to play sports and at the splash pad. They were travelling in a golf cart going downhill as it started to accelerate with the brakes failing.

After the cart swayed out of control, it flipped and ejected all the passengers onto the roadside according to Elizabeth Gardner, William’s mother. He sustained massive head trauma and was airlifted to SickKids Hospital. The parents and their friends had sustained injuries (with the latter taking the year off to recover) from the incident and were treated at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC). His seven-year-old sister Aurora was unharmed during the accident but had feelings of guilt and shame as the only sibling to survive said Elizabeth.

“Our family at that time knew everything was changing and I laid on the roadside trying to keep him breathing,” she explained.

All photos courtesy of Elizabeth Gardner.

The family visited William at SickKids and made the difficult decision to let him go due to the severe brain damage he suffered.

“After saying goodbye to William, both my husband and I were admitted to Peterborough Hospital due to our injuries,” explained Elizabeth. “I ended up staying in Peterborough Hospital for over a month recovering and planning my son’s funeral.”

Despite the unfortunate series of events, the family bears no ill will towards anyone and is grateful for the care that they received.

“Sick Kids Hospital and Peterborough Regional Health Centre were extremely supportive during our darkest days,” explained Elizabeth. “These golf tournaments will be in support of both of those institutions.”

The police report determined that the mishap was an accident due to the golf cart’s malfunction according to Elizabeth. Bellemere Winds had offered their golf resort to host the memorial tournament.

“We are still devastated from everything but cannot thank the Bellmere owners enough for pushing for this golf tournament,” said Elizabeth. “We are thankful we can honour William, as memories and events like these keep him alive.”

William was three weeks short of celebrating his fifth birthday upon his passing. He was entering kindergarten that September.

“He was a little boy with a great sense of humour and loved to run around in his bare feet,” said Elizabeth. “William loved all kids and above all loved playing with anybody but especially his sister Aurora.”

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Community Rallies For Omemee Family With Teen Diagnosed With Cancerous Brain Tumour; GoFundMe Set Up To Help Offset Costs

Omemee and 16-year-old Angela Brooks is in the fight of their life as she is undergoing chemotherapy for a brain tumour revealed to be a cancerous suprasellar germinoma.

A GoFundMe goal of $15,000 has been set up to help cover costs such as travel, home expenses and wages lost due to Brooks’s mother going on critical illness leave for the past four months to take care of her two sisters and one brother.

Just under $13,000 has been donated from the community to help in Brooks’s GoFundMe page. Photo courtesy of Ashley Megan.

Brooks has been ill for two years with her brain tumour discovered in April. When her biopsy revealed that it was a cancerous suprasellar germinoma, Brooks had to undergo 12 rounds of chemotherapy and two-and-a-half weeks of radiation over the next five months in Toronto at SickKids Hospital according to the GoFundMe page. The family has had to regularly travel back and forth between Toronto and Omemee to monitor Brooks’s health.

Earlier this month, Brooks had a septic infection from her peripherally inserted central catheter line and was hospitalized at Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

She was able to come home after spending two weeks in the hospital but could not receive chemotherapy until her blood count went back up. Once it does, Brooks could handle more chemotherapy sessions according to her mother, Ashley Megan. She was due for her final stage of chemotherapy last Monday had everything went to plan.

Megan reported that Brooks’s counts were up on Wednesday on her Facebook account. The teen could get her 11th round of chemo as a result. Brooks is nearing all cancer treatment including radiation.

The GoFundMe created by Mat Wood has raised almost $13,000 of the $15,000 goal with 119 donations. It began back in April and is expected to run into August.

“The family has lost count of how many times they have had to stay in Toronto to be by Angela’s side in her fight,” said Wood. “It has been a long, hard, and emotional road for this family.”

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First-Ever Little Lakers Night Set for July 27 With During Lakers Final Home Game

The welcome mat is being rolled out by the Peterborough Lakers for their Little Lakers Lacrosse Night and Five Counties families for July 27.

Five Counties Children’s Centre (FCCC) is teaming up with the Peterborough Lakers for the first-ever Little Lakers Night on the team’s final regular season home game on July 27 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre against the Brooklin L.C.

“Five Counties has played a big role throughout the years in our family,” says Len Powers, a FCCC ambassador and Lakers’ board member. “We are really grateful for the work the Centre does to support kids and their families in our community and were excited to find a fun way to give back.”

Little Lakers Night features the following:

• Pre-game festivities starting at 7 p.m. – an hour before game time. Five Counties is holding a silent auction that lets people bid on items that include: a golf package for four at Wildfire Golf Club, a baby gift basket and tickets to Canada’s Wonderland.

• Facepainting for kids by donation, sale of freezies and the chance to buy commemorative Little Lakers Night T-shirts in support of Five Counties.

• A ceremonial ball drop before the game, featuring Five Counties family and representatives.

The proceeds support the Building Abilities for Life campaign, allowing more kids to get the essential treatment like occupational and speech therapies they need to be their best according to a press release.

“Community events like Little Lakers Night are integral to helping us get more kids into treatment, reducing wait times and allowing more families to get the care when they need it,” says Scott Pepin, FCCC CEO. “We could not do what we do without the support of organizations like the Peterborough Lakers.”

Game tickets to Little Lakers Night are available through the Memorial Centre box office.

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Backyard Summer Social Raises Nearly $42,000 in Support of Five Counties Kids

This year’s Backyard Summer Social event raised $41,664 for Five Counties Children’s Centre on Friday.

photo courtesy of five counties kids.

All event proceeds go to the Centre’s Building Abilities for Life campaign, which directly benefits children in the community to receive treatment services. This includes providing priority speech language therapy and occupational therapy as quickly as possible to children and youth who need them. 

“We know that the earlier a child can get into these programs, the better their outcome, which is why community support for our kids and families is so important,” says Scott Pepin, CEO of Five Counties. “We live in a very generous community, and the support shown us at our Backyard Summer Social is yet another example of people coming together to help our kids and families.”

A ‘unicorn’ from Critter Visits was on hand for the recent Backyard Summer Social, allowing event attendees to enjoy a petting zoo as part of the many festivities. Photo courtesy of Five Counties Kids.

From left, a member of the Peterborough Academy of Circus Arts gives a tutorial in balance to one of the guests attending the event. Photo courtesy of Five Counties Kids.

There’s an art to what caricaturist Jason Wilkins (seated at left) does, and he ably demonstrated that drawing likenesses of attendees at the Summer Social. Photo curtesy of Five Counties Kids.

This year’s edition of the Centre’s gala fundraising event was a hybrid effort, with some activities moved indoors due to the threat of rain. That change didn’t impact the excitement and enthusiasm, say organizers, as attendees were still able to enjoy music, food, entertainment, live auction, door prizes and fun activities including axe throwing, petting zoo, lacrosse shootout and old-fashioned picnic games.

“The Backyard Summer Social is aimed at putting the fun into fundraising, and we were able to do that successfully again in 2023 despite the wet weather,” adds Lyn Giles, Director of Fund Development with Five Counties. “We’re very appreciative of all the support we had this year and are already planning ahead for the next Backyard Summer Social on June 22, 2024, so mark your calendars!”

For more information, visit the website.

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