Salvation Army Offering Christmas Assistance Giving Out Toys and Food

The Salvation Army is offering ‘Christmas Assistance’ by giving toys and food to anyone in need for the holiday season.

Photo courtesy of the Salvation Army/

The program runs from Nov. 20 to Dec. 15 at the Salvation Army Church on 219 Simcoe St.

Appointments must be booked to participate, as the Salvation Army is accepting them beginning Monday by calling 705-742-4391.

The following are the requirements to be eligible for the assistance:

  • Identification for each family member

  • Proof of current address

  • Verification of income (pay stub, OW/ODSP stub) for everyone in the family

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Part Time CFO Services LLP Donates $50,000 to the Peterborough Humane Society's Animal Care Centre

The Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) has received a $50,000 donation from Part Time CFO Services LLP towards the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre (PACC).

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Humane Society.

“Support from our local businesses like Part Time CFO, means the world to us here at PHS,” said Shawn Morey, PHS executive director. “This donation helps us provide more programs and services which in turn helps animals and people in our local community.”

“Part Time CFO Services LLP is committed to giving back to the areas where we live and work via sponsorships, volunteer work, and donations,” said Tim McLaren, CFO director of finance. “Our team members are dedicated to making a positive difference in our community.”

As a result of the donation, PACC’s main reception desk has been named in recognition of CFO and will be identified on the Donor Wall in the lobby.

“Our new Centre allows us to serve more people than ever; we now have a welcoming space where the community can join us,” said Morey. “Everyone who comes through our doors either needs help for their animals or wants to help animals in need, and now we have a space where we can do it all.”

The PHS is in the latest stage of the capital campaign to raise the final $3 million of its $13 million goal for ‘Our Pet Project.’ The rest of the money will help in expanding services and improving animal wellness according to a press release.

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Women's Business Network to Host Holiday Gala In Support of YWCA and Gender-Based Violence

The Women’s Business Network (WBN) of Peterborough is hosting its annual Holiday Gala and Auction to support YWCA Peterborough Haliburton’s programs, supporting women experiencing gender-based violence on Dec. 6 at the Peterborough Holiday Inn.

Photo courtesy of Women's Business Network of Peterborough.

The online auction runs from Nov. 23 to Dec. 7 using the Nonprofit Bidding platform.

Their $15,000 goal is to help women and children in the community who are escaping abuse and violence. By 2012, the WBN had raised over $220,000 for the YWCA and to date, the WBN has raised over $340,000 in support of this imperative cause, according to a press release.

The WBN is asking the community for donations for its auction, such as gift certificates, tickets, memberships or items valued at $25 or more. Donors will have their company name/logo appear with the donated item and will receive extensive exposure through the reach of the Nonprofit Bidding platform, as stated in a press release. In addition, the donor logo will be displayed on our social media platforms and during the event. 

Anyone willing to support this can complete the Online Auction Donation Form by Nov. 15 and include their logo.

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PTBOCanada's #PetLovePTBO Campaign Raises $4,000 For the Peterborough Animal Care Centre

After community support from PTBOCanada’s #PetLovePTBO campaign, $4,000 was raised and donated to the Peterborough Animal Care Centre in a cheque presentation at the facility on Friday morning.

(From left to right) Shawn Morey, PHS executive director; Si Grobler, donor relations manager, Hermione and Kirtus Evoy, PTBOCanada owner. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“It's community helping community,” said Shawn Morey, Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) executive director. “It's all about us working with our local community to continue the spread of wellness from an animal perspective so it's greatly appreciated all the way through.”

The campaign started in November last year, where toques (men's and women’s) and dog toys were sold to raise funds. This was two months before the PHC moved into the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre (PACC).

men’s/women’s toques and dog chew toys were sold as part of the #PetLovePTBO campaign. Photo by Jordan Cooper.

To date, the PACC has received $10 million in donations. Most of them were from the community and $1,560,500 from the provincial government in April. The Centre is still seeking another three million to help fund community programs, services and enhanced animal care.

“We'll have the ability to expand outwards, doing more outreach, more community service support, provide better opportunities from a care-enhancement perspective that we want to do for animals within our care,” explain Morey. 

The PACC’s grand opening occurred in late June and they immediately felt the impact of the community’s needs since relocated to Technology Drive. The shelter has a surplus of dogs available for adoption and is a crisis for PACC as they are seeking homes for them.

“With the number of animals we're getting calls for surrenders and strays coming into our care, our demand for services has grown by over 105 per cent since the second we walked in here,” said Morey. “It's timely, we need this building to provide these services, provide the care and wellness that we were able to do so but we are in a bit of a crisis mode.”

There are 42 dogs available for adoption but the PACC has a capacity for 36. They are currently not accepting surrenders but will still take in strays. Dog adoptions are by appointment only and can call 705-745-4722 x 201 to set one up.

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Rotary Club of Peterborough Increases Water Accessibility With Aquatics Wheelchair Donation to YMCA

The YMCA of Central East Ontario Balsillie Family Branch’s pools are now more accessible thanks to the Rotary Club of Peterborough-Kawartha with a donation of an aquatic wheelchair.

Rotary’s Len Lifchus (Rotary Club Secretary), MaryAnne Wooldridge (Balsillie Family Branch General Manager) and Bill Gordanier (Rotary Chair of Community Service Projects). Photo courtesy of the YMCA.

The specialized aquatic wheelchair allows members and guests with mobility issues a more accessible entrance into the swimming pools.

“We are thrilled to have a new small chair to access the pool. Our members who are users of a chair can have some comfort in ways of entering the pool,” says Shannon Hunter, Regional Supervisor of Aquatics and Camp. “This chair is great for adults and children. The old chair was not fit for use anymore and we are so thankful that people can still entre our lap pool and therapy pool.”

Members can access the aquatics wheelchair by asking the guard on duty to get it for them. If there is no guard available, staff will direct the member to get it themselves.

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"Rock the Docks" Event Raises $2,000 For Bridgenorth United Church Food Bank

The Bridgenorth United Church Food Bank received a donation of $2,000 raised from the Rock the Docks event in a cheque presentation at Bridgenorth United Church on Tuesday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The donated money will help the food bank purchase perishable foods to distribute to their clients based on what has already been donated to them.

“We shop every week. Whatever we don't get from our membership with Kawartha Food Share and what we don't have for donations from neighbouring organizations and our congregation goes to the fresh produce,” said Rev. Cathy Gradante of Bridgenorth United Church. “So it's cheese, eggs, juice and things that are more easily spoiled so we have to purchase them on a regular basis.”

Rock the Docks was put on by the Bridgenorth Beautification Commitee at Great Outdoors Landing on Aug. 12. The event featured food (by Chemong Lodge), live music, door prizes, 50/50 draw, dancing, a silent auction and kids activities. Adam Brown, Chemong Lodge owner was happy to contribute especially after learning the increasing number of families that rely on food banks such as Bridgenorth Food Bank.

“It is somewhat discouraging when you see how many families need it but it’s great that the community is there so I’m really encouraged by that side of things,” he said.

The church on average feeds 75 families monthly in the Selwyn township, a number that has been alarmingly increasing according to Patta Latour, church co-chair.

“We used to be able to help people from Peterborough but we just got over capacity and we couldn’t,” she said. “The number of people that we helped just from Selwyn Township last month was the same number from Selwyn and in Peterborough.”

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RBC Donates $20,000 to Jumpstart Local Net Zero Farms Pilot Project

RBC has donated $20,000 to Net Zero Farms for a new pilot project that will assist farmers in incorporating sustainable practices into their operations at Woodleigh Farms on Thursday afternoon.

Representatives from RBC cut the ribbon to represent the launch of the Net Zero Farms Pilot Project alongside non-profits GreenUP and Farms at Work. Pictured from left to right:  RBC Community Manager Karalee Murray, Green Economy Peterborough Net Zero Farms Program Coordinator Natasha Sheward, GreenUP Director of Programs Natalie Stephenson, GreenUP Executive Director Tegan Moss, Green Economy Peterborough Hub Coordinator Jackie Donaldson, RBC Relationship Manager for Business Markets Deanna Baker, Farms at Work Executive Director Heather Ray, RBC Relationship Manager for Agriculture & Agri-Business Specialist Scott McCaig. Photo courtesy of GreenUp.

The program coaches business leaders in the agriculture sector to measure their greenhouse gas emissions, set reduction targets, further understand their role in sequestering carbon and develop a plan for reducing their impact on the environment, all while sharing experiences and the greater community according to a press release.
 
“We know farmers like to learn from farmers. We’re thrilled to be developing this networking piece to help support their sustainable practices, and to develop a culture where farmers don’t feel alone in their efforts to become more environmentally friendly,” says Heather Ray, Farms at Work executive director. “Farm-to-farm engagement and mentoring is essential for an agricultural business looking to adapt to a changing climate.”
 
The Net Zero Farms pilot seeks to support up to 10 farms in their efforts to take climate action while building local capacity within the greater agricultural community, as stated by GreenUp.
  
“Measuring greenhouse gas sources in agriculture is different from measuring the emissions of a downtown retail store,” says Natasha Sheward, Net Zero Farms program coordinator. “We want to include all of the relevant aspects of this sector within our GHG measurement in order to ensure relevance and accuracy. This will provide insight and opportunity for our farmers to identify actions that will reduce their costs and increase their resilience.”

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CRCC Receives $20,000 Grant From Bell Let's Talk For Therapy For Trauma Survivors

The Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund has given a grant of $20,000 to The Community Counselling and Resource Centre (CCRC) to provide therapy for trauma survivors.

Photo courtesy of the CCRC.

Types of therapy used for treatment include the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) to help people cope with a variety of psychological issues, particularly Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and trauma-related symptoms. Developed in the late 1980s, EMDR has been used effectively to help those impacted by distressing symptoms of PTSD.

“CCRC sees a lot of clients presenting with symptoms of PTSD, many of whom have no other option for professional counselling services,” said Kirsten Armbrust, CCRC executive director. “Support from the Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund allows us to see these clients sooner, getting them the help they need quickly.”

“Bell Let’s Talk is pleased to provide a $20,000 Community Fund grant to CCRC to support people in Peterborough suffering from trauma,” said Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let’s Talk. “The Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund supports organizations that are working to create positive change to improve access to mental health care, supports and services for more Canadians in communities around the country.”

Funding from this grant has allowed the CCRC to reallocate our EMDR trained counsellors to those who would most benefit from EMDR treatment.

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Fleming Student Administrative Council Seeking Sponsors To Aid Student Food Insecurity

Fleming Student Administrative Council (SAC) is seeking sponsors for their monthly ‘Lunch Grab&Go’ initiative to help combat student food insecurity.

Photo courtesy of Fleming SAC.

The program provides free lunches for Fleming students especially to those who struggle to afford food daily according to a Fleming SAC representative.

“Times are tough right now and every little bit helps,” according to a Fleming SAC statement. “Help feed Fleming students so they can focus on school and no\tw where their next meal is going to come from.”

Sponsors will have their logo on display to SAC’s marketing to create brand awareness for the event in exchange for sponsorship.

Potential sponsors can e-mail info@flemincsac.ca for more information.

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100 Women Peterborough Returns to In-Person Philanthropy With Donation of Over $10,000 to Hospice Peterborough

With 100 Women returning to their first in-person gathering since 2019, their first donation of $10,800 was made to Hospice Peterborough.

100 Women’s first donation was made to Hospice Peterborough in 2018. Photo courtesy of 100 Women Peterborough.

The decision was made after a majority vote as representatives of Abbeyfield House Society, Hospice Peterborough and Peterborough Veterinary Outreach made their cases to be the recipient on Sept. 19.

“We're honoured that 100 Women Peterborough has chosen to support us again, marking a full-circle moment," said Aimée O’Reilly, Hospice Peterborough manager of development. “This community of women initially helped us build our 10-bed end-of-life residence and expand our programming facility. Their renewed investment speaks volumes about the trust they place in us. Importantly, their donation will help sustain programs that aren't government-funded including special touches of care and grief programming.”

With 108 active members, 100 Women contributed $100 each towards the total donation.

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