Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society’s Board of Directors Tender Resignation
/The Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society’s entire Board of Directors resigned on Wednesday.
Photo courtesy of Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society.
Peterborough Blogs
Hometown PTBO: Heidi Westbye Competing At the International Meeting of Young Beekeepers in Dubai and Raising Funds For Her Trip
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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.
Oct. 25 Is Dress Purple Day to Raise Child Welfare Awareness
/Oct. 25 marks Dress Purple Day, a campaign to raise awareness about the important role individuals play in supporting children, youth, and families facing challenges.
Photo courtesy of ONtario Association of Children’s Aid Societies.
The Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society (KHCAS) is collaborating with children’s aid societies and Indigenous Child and Family Well-Being agencies across the province in partnership with government and community-based organizations for the campaign.
On Dress Purple Day, KHCAS invites the community to wear purple to show their commitment to child welfare and spread the message that help is available to the children and youth in our communities. Wearing purple stresses the importance of community support in ensuring the safety and well-being of children and youth in our communities.
“Dress Purple Day offers an opportunity to raise awareness of the important role we all play in supporting vulnerable children, youth and families and that the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society works together with many community organizations to help children, youth, and families facing challenges.” says Jennifer McLauchlan, Executive Director of the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society. “We are wearing purple today to show children, youth, and families that we care and are here to help.”
The goals of Dress Purple Day for the KHCAS are:
To highlight how the KHCAS works in partnership with local community-based organizations and service providers to support vulnerable children, youth and families.
To continue to work collectively with the Ontario government regarding the need to invest in social infrastructure so children, youth and families can access the right care, at the right time, close to home.
To raise awareness that every child and youth has a right to safety and well-being in all spaces and that the community plays a role in protecting those rights.
For KHCAS to strengthen relationships with local community-based organizations and service providers supporting children, youth and families.
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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.”
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Five Counties Children's Centre Hosting 'All-o-ween' For Inclusive Trick-or-Treating Experience
/Five Counties Children’s Centre (FCCC) is inviting families to help make trick-or-treating more accessible and less scary for kids with its first-ever All-o-ween event.
Christian (left) and Gabriel (right) are among the FCCC families who are looking forward to All-o-ween. Photo courtesy of FCCC.
It is designed as an accessible, inclusive, and sensory-friendly trick-or-treating experience for FCCC kids and their families — both those currently receiving treatment at the Centre and those on a waitlist for services. Siblings of Five Counties kids are also welcome.
All-o-ween runs from 4 to 6 p.m. and will take place as follows:
Oct. 28, at Five Counties (872 Dutton Road) in Peterborough
Oct. 29, at Five Counties (800 Division St., Unit 2) in Cobourg
Oct. 30 at Five Counties (9 Russell St. E.) in Lindsay.
Pre-registration is required to attend All-o-ween. Families can call the Centre at 1-888-779-9916, ext. 215 or register online to save a spot.
“Ask any child, and they will tell you Halloween ranks right up there as one of the best days of the year,” said Hayley Hodges, FCCC client and family experience lead. “Unfortunately, for some children who are disabled or neurodiverse, getting into the fall festivities can be a challenge.”
Each All-o-ween event in Cobourg, Peterborough and Lindsay includes an accessible and sensory-friendly trick-or-treating experience. Food, kids’ crafts and a storyteller sharing a fall festive tale will also be available. Kids can dress up in costume, wear orange and black, or come just as they are.
Providing an inclusive opportunity like All-o-ween benefits kids of all ages and abilities according to Hodges.
“In our everyday work at Five Counties, we support children and youth with physical, developmental and communications needs with the aim of enriching their independence and quality of life every day,” she said. “Halloween is one of those days or festivities that children of every ability should have the chance to experience and enjoy. And by organizing All-o-ween, we want to ensure everyone participates and no one gets left behind.”
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First-Ever Couture For Kids Fashion Show to Benefit Five Counties Kids On Oct. 3
/Fashion meets philanthropy at the first-ever Couture for Kids event in support of Five Counties Kids set for Oct. 3 at Celebrations (35 Lindsay St. N.) in Lindsay.
Five Counties kids Payton (front) and sister Paisley (back) are excited about the first-ever Couture for Kids fashion show fundraiser taking place on Oct. 3 in Lindsay. In 2023/24, the Centre served more than 1,300 kids and youth in Kawartha Lakes.
Couture for Kids is a fashion show featuring clothing from local retailers like Brittany’s N Bros, Bonita Clothing & Co, Cathy Allan Ladieswear, John G’s, Homethreads Boutique, The Lingerie Loft, Lizzy’s by Cathy Allan and Nisbett’s Clothiers.
“We are excited to mix fashion and fun at our first-ever Couture for Kids event in Lindsay,” said says Lyn Giles, Five Counties director of fund development. “This fundraising event is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and support the life-changing work that goes on every day at Five Counties.”
The doors open at 6 p.m. with the fashion show starting at 7 p.m.. Tickets are $25 each and include light snacks provided by Milk and Honey Eatery and Brouwer Bake Shop. Tickets can be purchased at participating retailers or by going online.
A raffle, consisting of flower arrangements by Hill’s Florist, skin care basket, hair care basket, gift cards for local businesses and much more are being featured. Pass the Purse will also be on the agenda, with any attendee who puts a donation in the purse being entered in a draw to win it.
All proceeds from Couture for Kids will support Five Counties kids in City of Kawartha Lakes, helping them access needed life-changing treatment services close to home according to a press release.
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Elementary School's Breakfast Club Gets Cooking After Donation of Two Ovens From Rotary Club of Peterborough
/Prince of Wales’s Breakfast Club kicked off the school year on the right foot as they received two new ovens donated from the Rotary Club of Peterborough and unveiled on Tuesday morning.
Thea Chaput, Grade 6 (left); Camryn Chaput, Grade 5 (middle) and Sophie Bradley, Grade 7 (middle right) getting '“apple-loutely’ excited over the new overs with Colin Mackenzie, Rotary volunteer (Middle left) and Tommy Reburn of Leon’s Peterborough (right). Volunteers and Rotary Club members have been providing breakfast to the Prince of Wales students for nearly 30 years. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
An official ribbon-cutting ceremony commemorated the ovens and the Rotary’s work during breakfast hours at the school.
The program feeds roughly over 500 children according to Brad Conlin, Prince of Wales principal.
“The School Nutrition Program has a major impact on the safety, well-being and belongingness of our students,” he said. “Many students use the breakfast program not only as a place to fill their tummies for the start of their day, but it is a place that students can use as a soft-start transition from home to school.”
At the end of the last school year, the ovens began to malfunction, making it difficult to prepare meals promptly and efficiently.
“Faces of trusted adults and the impact of our volunteers goes beyond the needs of just the healthy breakfasts and lunches that are provided,” said Conlin. “The staff and volunteers always have a lens of inclusivity which fosters an environment of food for some, food for all.”
Peterborough Rotarian of the Year and volunteer Catherine Hanrahan contacted her fellow Realtor colleague at Century 21 United, Tom Reburn, who also owns Leon’s. His company supplied, delivered, and installed them free of charge during the last week of August.
“Leon’s is well known as a great community supporter so I didn’t hesitate to reach out to my friend Tom to see if he could hook us up two new stoves and a microwave.” says Hanrahan.
One Prince of Wales student highlighted the club's importance and how having breakfast can positively impact a child’s learning experience.
“This year, as soon as I saw the first person go in the Breakfast Club doors, I went in as well. I was hungry and I didn’t have a chance to eat breakfast. At my old school we had plain oatmeal everyday. At POW we have a variety of foods. A couple of days ago we had eggs, hash browns, and cereal. If we have eggs three days in a row, they are always cooked differently. The program is really important to me because in the morning sometimes I can make myself a hot chocolate but most of the days I don’t have time. After I eat breakfast, it helps me to focus better at school. There are a lot of community volunteers and they are always treating us nicely and coming to our tables to ask us if we want more. I would love to volunteer because I love to cook. Today I helped a little girl make her yogurt more tasty by squeezing an orange into her yogurt like the adult volunteer showed us how to do. Another day I helped that girl’s little sister when she spilled her drink all over herself and the floor. Children from every grade can eat breakfast together, whether they can’t afford it, or they didn’t have time that day. That is why Breakfast Club is important to me and the rest of the school.”
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Five Counties Children’s Centre Asking Public to Share Its Memories For 50th Anniversary
/Five Counties Children’s Centre (FCCC) is asking area residents to share their memories and moments of the Centre in the leadup to its 50th anniversary in 2025, announced on Wednesday.
Photo courtesy of FCCC.
The Centre, which supports kids and families with physical, communication and developmental needs in Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton-Minden, opened its doors in 1975.
To mark its golden anniversary, a year-long celebration is being planned in 2025. Ahead of its 50th festivities, Five Counties is launching its ‘Gimme 5: Your Story is Our Story’ appeal to encourage current and former clients, families, staff, volunteers, board members, donors and community supporters to share any recollections they have of the Centre.
“Five Counties is made up of much more than bricks and mortar. The Centre was truly built on the magical memories and moments of the thousands of children and youth and their families we’ve been able to assist over the years,” said Scott Pepin, FCCC CEO. “The Five Counties story would be totally incomplete if we are unable to tell and share the many stories from members of our extended Five Counties family.”
To facilitate sharing, people can download and complete the Gimme 5 Story Package, which includes several questions to help prompt discussion and sharing. Anyone who has a story or memento to share can email 50@fivecounties.on.ca or call 1-888-779-9916, ext. 200. With approval, Five Counties will share some of the collected stories publicly during its 50th-anniversary celebrations.
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Local Realtors Support Sick Kids Foundation Through Third-Annual Lemonade Stand
/Local realtors and brothers Dan and Dion Gemmiti took the classic lemonade stand to another level for the third year in a row to raise money for Sick Kids Hospital on Brealey Drive on Friday morning.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The public was invited to the stand to enjoy food, snacks and lemonade while accepting donations for Sick Kids Hospital on a ‘pay what you want’ basis. Photos could also be taken before a large banner hanging on a trailer's side.
Up to roughly 70 people came to the event at a time to support the cause, a significantly higher number than last year’s.
“We are lucky to be in this community and everybody knows Peterborough is one of the most special places on Earth,” explained Dan. “If we can live here, work here and share, that's exactly what we do.”
The brothers have a close family member who has used Sick Kids Hospital’s services but they know several people who have benefitted from it.
“The greatest thing we've been able to do is hear people's Sick Kids stories in this great city,” said Dion. “We're very lucky that people share it and we're very lucky for what that hospital does for our community.”
Dion Gemmiti (left), Taso Hatzianastasiou, owner of Taso's Restaurant and Pizzeria (middle) and Dan Gemmiti (right) sharing ice-cold lemonade and pizza with the hundreds of guests that came in and out of the event. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
New to this year’s stand was wood-fired pizza made by Taso’s, who wanted to jump in on the action.
“I came to the lemonade stand last year and I said, 'Listen, I want to jump in. How can I help?' explained Taso Hatzianastasiou, owner of Taso's Restaurant and Pizzeria. “It was for Sick Kids and I was all on board because have friends and family that gone there and I'll do it gladly for as much as we can.
The brothers aim to continue the lemonade stand annually for as long as possible.
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United Way and Cogeco Provide Over 450 'Backpacks for Success' For Back To School
/To help kids get a head start in the classroom, the United Way Peterborough & District teamed with Cogeco on Tuesday to supply over 450 bags for their ‘Backpacks for Success’ for children at the Calvary Church.
Since 2003, United Way has provided more than 13,000 backpacks containing grade-appropriate school supplies to local students attending Kindergarten through Grade 12. Photo by Pete Dalliday.
