United Way Peterborough & District Marks the End of 2025 Fundraising Campaign After Raising Over 1.5 Million Dollars

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United Way Peterborough & District has wrapped up another successful community fundraising campaign, marking the $1,560,075 achievement at its annual Campaign Celebration April 9.

The county of peterborough was awarded the “Making it Rain” award for delivering an increase in employee event donations. photo courtesy of the united way peterborough & District.

The organization brought together local partner agencies, workplaces and community members to unveil its 2025 fundraising total and recognize the collective effort behind a successful campaign. Held at the McDonnell Street Activity Centre, the evening offered an opportunity for peers and colleagues to reflect on their shared impact, celebrate achievements and honour outstanding contributions through awards.

Award recipients included the County of Peterborough, Trent Valley Learning Association, Tiffany Arcari, the John Howard Society of the Kawarthas, the City of Peterborough, the New Canadians Centre, Jeannine Taylor, the Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic School Board, Trent University and Laken MacFarlane.

“As I look back on my time with United Way, I am so overwhelmed with gratitude for the people who continue to show up each year for their community,” CEO Jim Russell shared. “It’s not our organization alone that makes this work possible, it’s a shared responsibility, brought to life by our dedicated partners and workplaces from across the region. This year especially was a true show of community spirit, with so many new partnerships forming and more people stepping forward to get involved whether it was events like Backpacks for Success, Period Promise, or the ever-popular Peterborough Performs championed by our incredible Campaign Chair Paul Rellinger.”

In coming months, United Way will usher in their 85th campaign year, continuing to build on community partnerships while welcoming new opportunities to create lasting change. Upcoming initiatives, including Day of Caring and Backpacks for Success, will return later this summer to support local needs. 

The team celebrates this year’s fundraising total of $1,560,075, representing a 3 per cent increase over last years campaign.

“As Campaign Chair I’ve had the honour of being a part of the United Way team, and let me tell you, fundraising is no easy task,” said Rellinger. “It really is nonstop all year long, trying to meet goal to ensure our Peterborough community is receiving the much-needed support that it deserves. Although, I am chair for only a year, I am a supporter of United Way Peterborough always.”

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Spring into Learning Returns to Five Counties For a Second Year

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The second annual Spring into Learning series returns to Five Counties Children’s Centre May 2 with a focus on helping attendees to rethink disability.

photo courtesy of five counties.

Presenters at the event include a former Canadian Paralympian, a Trent University professor/writer and a social worker/community activist. All three will discuss the importance of shattering pre-conceived notions and biases towards persons with disabilities.

Five Counties notes that the free event is not just for Five Counties families, anyone who supports or interacts with a person with disabilities or who wants to learn more about what it’s like to live with a disability is welcome to attend.

“We had wonderful response to our first-ever Spring into Learning last year, that focused on seeing the ability, not disability in every person,” says Hayley Hodges, the Client and Family Engagement Lead at Five Counties. “This year’s theme focuses on how we can ‘rethink disability’ and see resiliency in individuals who overcome challenges and achieve new things with their different abilities. This year, there will also be special emphasis on the vital role of caregivers and how they can be better supported in their work supporting individuals with a disability.”

The full lineup for the Spring into Learning series includes:

  • • Keynote speaker Alec Denys (five-time Paralympian, sports enthusiast and accessibility advocate), sharing his personal story of suffering a life-altering injury that left him paralyzed from the waist down, and how his love of sports helped him discover new abilities.

  • • Workshop facilitator Derek Newman-Still (a local author, Trent professor and activist) speaking on the importance of resiliency in their own life to respond and correct presumptions from those who diss their disability.

  • • Workshop facilitator Maureen Pollard (social worker and compassionate bereavement care provider) explaining why caregivers need to care for their own well-being as much as the person they support, realizing self-care is not selfish.

The event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Five Counties (872 Dutton Rd.)

Registration is now open for the Spring into Learning series online.

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Fleming College Invites Prospective Students to Annual Spring Open House Event

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Aspiring post secondary students and their families are invited to Fleming College’s annual Spring Open House event on April 11.

file photo.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. across Sutherland (Peterborough), Frost (Lindsay) and Haliburton campuses, Fleming will showcase its industry-recognized programs and experiential learning opportunities that open doors to rewarding careers. Each campus will offer guided tours, information sessions and hands-on demonstrations. Visitors can also meet faculty and current students and learn about the many services and resources that support student success.   

At the Sutherland Campus in Peterborough, visitors will learn about programs related to health, community services, trades and technology, business and information technology, and general arts and sciences. Workshop or information sessions will be held at noon for the Hairstyling, Carpentry and Renovation Technician, Welding and Paramedic programs. 

At the Frost Campus in Lindsay, visitors will learn about programs related to environmental and natural resources sciences and learning labs like the pollinator garden, arboretum, fish hatchery, bird conservation, insectary and Parnham Training Centre for Drilling and Blasting. Workshop or information sessions will be held at noon for the Resources Drilling Technician, Blasting Techniques and Fish and Wildlife programs. 

At the Haliburton School of Art + Design, visitors can tour the art studios and enjoy a walk along the adjacent Sculpture Forest Trail that features 40 installations by Canadian and International artists. During a one-hour workshop at noon, prospective students can create a stunning fabric brooch.  

Fleming’s primary firefighter training facility in Norwood, the Eastern Ontario Emergency Training Academy, is also open for tours. Pre-Service Firefighter education and training program faculty and students will answer questions and show visitors training areas like the burn tower and rescue maze. Visitors can attempt forceable entry through a steel door or operate a firehose from one of our onsite pump trucks. 

Prospective students and families interested in learning about Fleming’s Veterinary Technician program can tour the Peterborough Humane Society and new labs every hour starting at 10:30 a.m.  

The Kawartha Cardiology Clinic in Peterborough is also open to visitors interested in learning about Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography, a post-graduate program for nursing professionals.   

Fleming Campus agendas are available on the College’s Open House webpage.

Whether you’re a first-time post-secondary student or a mature learner transitioning to a new career, Fleming College is ready to welcome you to its Peterborough, Lindsay and Haliburton Campuses to explore its exceptional programs, services and surroundings.  

Register for Fleming’s Spring Open House today at the website. 

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PHOTOS: The Tiffany Show's International Women's Day Party

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Host of The Tiffany Show Tiffany Arcari hosted her third annual International Women’s Day Party on Sunday; celebrating local women, uplifting their stories and collecting menstrual products for the Period Promise initiative.

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Celebrate International Women’s Day in the City of Peterborough

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City of Peterborough residents are invited to an event to recognize and celebrate International Women’s Day at City Hall on March 7.

Photo by david tuan bui.

International Women’s Day, which is held annually on March 8, is dedicated to acknowledging the achievements, contributions and leadership of women and girls. 

Mayor Jeff Leal has issued a proclamation in support of International Women’s Day.  

“International Women's Day is a day to celebrate achievements, leadership and resilience of women and girls in our community and around the world. It is an opportunity to recognize the countless ways women contribute to our families, workplaces and neighbourhoods, often while overcoming barriers and inequities,” Mayor Jeff Leal said. 

The day begins with a rally and march that begins at City Hall (500 George St. N.) at 11:30 a.m.  

City Councillor Joy Lachica will read the International Women’s Day proclamation. The rally will also include drumming from the group Naandewegaan (Healing with Drums) and a poem from Peterborough’s Poet Laureate, Ziysah.  

The rally will be followed by a march downtown with an afternoon of activities in Friends of the Library Community Room at the Peterborough Public Library (345 Aylmer St. N.) Events include music, light refreshments and a discussion with Kat Owens from the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund.  

The Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre, the Kawartha World Issues Centre and the YWCA Peterborough Haliburton have also organized events on March 7.

All events are free to attend, though registration for the events at the library is encouraged. Registration can be done online.

"This day invites us to reflect on the work that remains to advance fairness, inclusion and equal opportunity for all. By marking International Women’s Day, we reaffirm the importance of recognizing women’s contributions, amplifying their voices and continuing efforts toward a more equitable future for current and future generations,” said City Councillor Joy Lachica. 

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The Tiffany Show’s International Women’s Day Event Returns March 8

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The Tiffany Show’s 3rd annual International Women’s Day Party event returns to inspire and uplift local women at The Venue March 8.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

The event aims to celebrate local women, share authentic stories and foster connection, confidence and empowerment.

Host of the Tiffany Show Tiffany Arcari announced prizes, partnerships and vendors for the event at a press conference Friday.

@ptbo_canada @The Tiffany Show’s 3rd annual International Women’s Day event is back; celebrating women in our community on March 8th at @The Venue! 🩷🚺 The free event has limited tickets still available, for more information visit ptbocanada .com #ptbocanada #internationalwomensday ♬ original sound - PTBOCanada

Event attendees are encouraged to bring a menstrual product donation as the United Way’s Period Promise aims to collect 25,000 menstrual products for Kawartha Food Share. Arcari says her own health issues encouraged her involvement in this initiative.

“I remember thinking ‘thank God I can afford period underwear, diva cups, ultra tampons and ultra pads because these things are not inexpensive,’” reflected Arcari. “‘What do women that do not have funds and access to resources do?’”

arcari unveiled her event’s partnership with the united way’s period promise, aiming to combat period poverty in our community. Photo by Felicia Massey.

Last year’s event hosted hundreds and shared stories from local women that inspired and uplifted attendees.

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and limited tickets are still available online.

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Municipal Job Fair To Take Place This Thursday at Healthy Planet Arena

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A municipal job fair highlighting employment opportunities for job seekers in the City and County of Peterborough will be held on Jan. 22 at the Healthy Planet Arena.

photo courtesy of peterborough county, facebook.

Anyone interested in learning about employment opportunities in the area is invited to drop in throughout the day to discuss jobs at several municipalities, including the City of Peterborough, Peterborough County, Selwyn Township, Township of Cavan Monaghan, City of Kawartha Lakes and Municipality of Trent Lakes.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Healthy Planet Arena (911 Monaghan Rd.)

Prospective applicants are encouraged to check the website of each municipality for current job postings and to learn more about the application process.  

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TELUS Cup Ticket Packages Go On Sale On Tuesday

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The City of Peterborough is releasing the TELUS Cup ticket package starting this Tuesday, which includes one ticket for each of the tournament’s 19 games.  

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Early Bird pricing packages are $130 to attend every game. Ticket package prices will increase once single ticket sales begin in early 2026. The TELUS Cup will take place from April 20 to 26 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.  

Fans who buy ticket packages early will automatically be entered into a raffle to win a prize package.  

Prize packages include:  

  • One camper spot to Canadian Hockey Enterprise Christmas Camp at the Miskin Law Community Complex on December 29, 30 and 31, for ticket packages purchased before Dec. 19 

  • Two tickets to the OHL Top Prospects Game on January 14, for ticket packages purchased before Jan.9 

  • Petes Prize Pack, for ticket packages purchased before Jan. 30 

  • Two tickets to The Offspring on Feb. 17, for ticket packages purchased before Feb. 13 

  • Two tickets to the Rock Orchestra by Candlelight on March 17, for ticket packages purchased before Feb. 27 

School packages are available for educators. Tickets for school packages are $5 per seat, per game.  Educators can contact the Memorial Centre box office at 705-745-3561 or email MemCentre@peterborough.ca for more information on school packages.

The TELUS Cup is bringing some of the nation’s top U18 players to Peterborough for six days of fast-paced, high-calibre hockey, showcasing the next generation of Canada's hockey talent.  

The U18 AAA Peterborough Junior Petes will be among the six teams competing for the national title, making their national championship debut on home ice. 

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City of Peterborough to Host National Youth Week Events This May

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The City of Peterborough will host a variety of events for National Youth Week from May 1 to 7, in partnership with community organizations. 

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.

National Youth Week is a movement that celebrates youth and their active participation in their community. 

Free events for youth 10 to 19 years of age will be hosted at the Peterborough Museum and Archives, Peterborough Public Library, Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre and Downtown Youth Space. 

The exciting schedule is the result of collaboration with the New Canadian Centre, Artspace and City program areas. The Peterborough Youth Council played an important part organizing some of the events. 

“The pandemic and extensive use of electronics in our daily lives have had a dramatic impact on our face-to-face social interactions, physical activity, and mental health. Please join in all the fun that National Youth Week has to offer. Meet new friends, try new healthy activities, get involved in your community,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell, Chair of the City’s Youth Commission.

For further information, please email Ellen at estewart@peterborough.ca, or call/text 705-927-7046.

For the full list of events and details, visit the City’s website.

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PTBOCanada Featured Post: Flying Colours Corp. Two-Day Recruitment Event

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PTBOCanada Featured Post: Flying Colours Corp. Two-Day Recruitment Event

Sponsored post by Flying Colours Corp.

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