Habitat for Humanity Kicks Off National Student Writing Contest

Students from grades 4 to 6 are invited to share what home means to them in an annual national writing contest held by Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region.

ELLYOT READ HER STORY DURING THE GROUND-BREAKING CEREMONY OF HABITAT’S PHASE TWO PROJECT ON LEAHY’S LANE. She was one of nine runner-ups from last year’s contest. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

The contest is open and accepting entries, with submissions being accepted by mail or online until Feb. 23. Habitat’s goal is to receive 15,000 student submissions across Canada this year. 

“Nothing compares to the feeling of strength and security that comes from having a safe place to call home. Every child in Canada deserves to feel this way and that’s why we continue building and advocating for more affordable housing,” says Julia Deans, Habitat president and CEO. “The enthusiastic response to this annual contest where children share in their own words what home means to them is truly inspiring.” 

Every participating student earns Habitat earn a $10 donation provided by the contest sponsors to build safe and affordable homes. Across Canada, three grand prize winners will also receive a $30,000 grant to help their local Habitat for Humanity build homes for families needing affordable housing. In addition, nine runners-up will receive a $10,000 grant for their local Habitat for Humanity. 

Last year, over 12,000 entries raised $302,000, helping families in 42 communities across Canada build a brighter future through affordable homeownership.  

“We are very excited to have the opportunity again to engage students in conversations about home through the national Meaning of Home contest,” said Jenn MacDonald, Habitat communications and donor services manager. “It is truly amazing to see the level of thought and creativity the students put into their entries and the support of our affordable home-building efforts.” 

In the past four national competitions, there have been four student winners from local schools across the Peterborough and Kawartha Region including two winners from Edmison Heights Public School, one winner from Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board’s Virtual Elementary School and Ellyot from St. Catherine Catholic Elementary.

Their winning entries have raised a total of $40,000 for Habitat for Humanity PKR Leahy’s Lane developments which has already supported 41 local families and individuals into affordable homeownership in the City of Peterborough according to a press release.

“As this contest’s founding sponsor, we are amazed at the heartfelt student submissions that pour in year after year,” says Stuart Levings, President and CEO of Sagen. “We are proud to have a role in engaging children in caring for their communities at a young age while recognizing how meaningful it is to have a safe place to call home.” 

To enter the contest, parents and teachers can sign up at www.meaningofhome.ca with submissions being accepted until Feb. 23, 2024.  

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: Michael Bell Taking His 'The Bowie Lives' Act To Showplace Theatre On Oct. 21

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks to Michael Bell about his magazine 'The Wire,' Peterborough generating world-class musicians, his past 'The Bowie Lives' shows and the next one at Showplace Theatre on Oct. 21.

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

Rotary Club of Peterborough Celebrates Top Spellers of Rotary Spelling Bee with Celebration Lunch

The Rotary Club of Peterborough hosted the Rotary Spelling Bee Celebration Lunch on May 29, honouring the achievements of the top spellers from the County-wide Spelling Bee Event held on May 13 at Fleming College.

The winners and representatives from their schools From left to right, back row: Murray Shadgett, Joy Meehan, Greg Wilson, Heather Robertson, Tracy Hall.
From left to right, front row: Kaiden Surphlis, Arthur Zadro, Olivia Jones, Noah Hofman, Sonny Gillis, Crepe Cochrane. Photo courtesy of the rotary club of Peterborough.

The Celebration brought together the winners, their educators, parents and sponsors to recognize their remarkable spelling abilities and dedication to literacy.

The Rotary Spelling Bee Celebration Lunch was a momentous occasion filled with excitement and pride. The winners from each division were acknowledged for their exceptional performance:

Junior Division (Grades 4-6):

1. Olivia Jones - St. Catherine

2. Arthur Zadro - Our Lady of the Wayside Academy

3. Kaiden Surphlis - James Strath

Intermediate Division (Grades 7-8):

1. Noah Hofman - Kenner Intermediate

2. Sonny Gillis - St. Catherine

3. Crepe Cochrane - Adam Scott Intermediate

In recognition of their achievements, $3,500 in Literacy Funding was presented to the winning schools for their literacy programs. The first-place school in each division received $1,000, second place received $500, and third place received $250. Additionally, the first-place schools were presented with plaques as a token of appreciation for their commitment to education and literacy.

"The success of the Rotary Spelling Bee is a testament to the power of collaboration," said Catherine Legault, chair of the Spelling Bee. "The teachers' and principals' involvement in the Bee program has inspired countless young hearts and minds, leaving a lasting mark on their educational journey. Rotary is immensely proud to have worked with such devoted educators who understand the importance of empowering our youth and providing them opportunities to succeed.”

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

‘The Meaning of Home’ National Student Writing Contest Returns in Support of Local Habitat for Humanity Organizations

Local elementary students Grades 4, 5 and 6 will have the opportunity to share what home means to them in ‘The Meaning of Home’ national writing contest to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region.

photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region.

Founded by Sagen, the Meaning of Home contest has raised over $2 million to help local Habitats across Canada build decent and affordable housing since 2007.

Three grand prize winners will each receive a $30,000 grant to help a local Habitat for Humanity build a place to call home for a family in need of affordable housing. In addition, nine runners up will receive a $10,000 grant for their local Habitat for Humanity. Winners will be announced by June.

As housing continues to be an important concern for all Canadians, it is children especially who understand how housing can provide their family with a place to study, pursue their dreams and build a better life. Every student who enters the contest will help Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region build safe and affordable homes, because every entry earns a $10 donation towards their local Habitat for Humanity.

“It is so wonderful to see the enthusiastic response each year from parents, teachers and especially the children who enter this contest and share what home means to them in their own words,” say Habitat for Humanity Canada president and CEO Julia Deans. “We know that having a safe and affordable place to call home helps people build better lives and stronger communities.”

Last year over 13,000 entries were received, the largest number of submissions Habitat Canada has ever received for this contest and raised over $311,000. From entries in 2020 and 2021, Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region had 3 runner-up winners in grades 5 and 6 which lead to $30,000 in grants towards the 41-unit condo project on Leahy’s Lane in the City of Peterborough, along with a class pizza party and a tablet for the student winners.

“The Meaning of Home contest provides an opportunity to engage youth in discussions around the current state of housing, and to feel inspired about our next generation of leaders,” says Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region communications & donor services manager Jenn MacDonald. “Not only do students have a greater sense of appreciation for home, but they actively participate in giving back to their community. It’s truly a win-win!”

Submissions for this years contest are being accepted by mail or online from Jan. 9 until Feb. 24.

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

4th Line Theatre Launches Propel Weekly Writing Program

4th Line Theatre has announced they are launching a new initiative this month, the Propel Weekly Writing Program, adding to the company’s virtual programming as part of the Nexicom Presents 4th Line Theatre @ Home event series. 

Anyone interested in participating is invited to join Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell for one or all in this 11-week series of online writing/creation workshops. The workshops are designed to inspire writers and creators and to allow them to commit time to their projects. There will also be time in each session to discuss work and collect feedback from Blackwell. 

Kim Blackwell (photo courtesy 4th Line Theatre)

“It is so challenging to carve out the time to devote to your artistic endeavours, especially your writing projects,” says Blackwell. “The Propel Writing Program will allow interested participants to join me twice a week for a 20-minute period of writing and then, if you want, we can discuss your project, your progress and any challenges you are facing.”

The writing workshops will run twice-a-week on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. beginning on Wednesday, February 17th through to Thursday, April 29th. Thanks to Nexicom, registration is free-of-charge. Space is limited to 50 participants per session, on a first-come, first-serve basis. The sessions will be hosted on the Zoom video platform.

Click this link to register. Once registered, you will receive an email prior to the event with a link to the meeting on the Zoom video platform.

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