Auto Connect Sales Raises Animal Adoption Awareness During the Holidays With Adopt Advent Calendar

Auto Connect Sales launched an animal adoption awareness campaign during the holidays with an ‘Adopt Advent Calendar’ to help the Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) find homes for several pets.

Elias (left) was one of 25 animals showcased in the advent calendar and is having holiday fun with Watson (right). Photo by Mark Dizon.

There were 25 animals from PHS showcased in total, with one animal featured daily on Auto Connect’s Instagram account.

Of all the animals posted, 15 of the 25 pets found homes before Christmas according to a Facebook post.

“We didn’t get these animals adopted. I think the calendar helped get exposure to the Humane Society,” said Cheryl Watson of Auto Connect Sales. “I was very happy that idea was very well received. I think the community liked it.”

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Watson had the idea of starting the calendar after attending a PHS gala. Animals were present at the event for anyone attending to interact with.

“I fell in love with a dog and I couldn’t stop thinking about them,” explained Watson. “I thought I had to get this dog adopted. That was my goal.”

Auto Connect staff met with the animals at the Peterborough Animal Care Centre for a photo shoot for the advent calendar.

“It was such a magical day,” said Watson. “Everybody was having a fantastic time. The Humane Society was so encouraging, supportive and eager to help get this done. It was a perfect joint effort.”

The remaining ten animals that were showcased are still up for adoption.

“Even if we can get one or two animals adopted, it was worth it,” said Watson.

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Auto Connect Sales Donates $2,000 to Peterborough Patriots Sports Club For Arena and Ice Time

As part of Auto Connect Sales’s quarterly contribution to local organizations, they have donated $2,000 to Peterborough Patriots Sports Club in a cheque presentation at their Lansdowne Street facility on Friday morning.

(from left to right) Martin Tempelman, Autoconnect; Thomas Rutherford, Patriots Club; Cheryl Watson, Autoconnect and Matt Abbott, Patriots Club. Photo by David Tuan bui.

The money was raised from a portion of the sales on each vehicle sold at Auto Connect for the quarter.

The club has been active for the past 35 years. They promote and coordinate events and activities for physically disabled teens and adults. The proceeds help pay for arena/ice time in sports such as sledge hockey, wheelchair basketball and curling.

“It's going to help out our charity a lot,” said Matt Abbott of Peterborough Patriots Club.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Patriots Club.

The club currently services ten athletes but is welcoming more into its activities.

All are invited to attend sledge hockey regardless of disability (even if you’re fully abled) on Oct. 14, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Warsaw Arena. The club supplies equipment such as the sledge and sticks for those who do not own any.

Auto Connect’s next quarterly contribution will be made to Kawartha Food Share.

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Free Two-Day Youth Hockey Camp Being Hosted By Overtime Hockey and Auto Connect Sales For Dec. 29 - 30

Overtime Hockey Company and Auto Connect Sales have opened a draw for anyone to attend their third annual Holiday Stars Camp taking place on Dec. 29 and 30.

Photo courtesy of Overtime Hockey Company.

The draw is for 70 players to come to the free camp with all ballots to be submitted by Sunday at noon. Winners will be notified by email and posted online.

Anyone selected will receive two hours of on-ice lessons from OHC instructors and corresponding jerseys.

“Peterborough’s a hockey town and not everybody has an opportunity to afford it,” said Martin Templeman, Autoconnect Sales owner and president. “It’s tough enough to put their kids in hockey let alone in camps and learn extra skills and I thought it was a worthy cause. How many kids would love to do it but are not in a financial position to do it? If there’s a way you can help a kid in your own community, you do it.”

“It's a pleasure for us at Overtime Hockey Company to partner with Martin and Cheryl of AutoConnect for a third year by providing 70 local hockey players an amazing opportunity,” said Kaury Jones, Overtime Hockey Company co-owner. “Our partnership allows us the ability to give back to the hockey community who gives so much to local businesses and charitable initiatives.”

Age groups are divided by year, ranging from anyone born between 2011-2017.

Schedule:

• (2017) 9 a.m. at OHC Center - Dec.29 and 30

• (2016) 10 a.m. at OHC Center - Dec.29 and 30

• (2015) 11 a.m. at OHC Center - Dec.29 and 30

• (2014) noon at OHC Center - Dec.29 and 30

• (2013) 1 p.m. at OHC Center - Dec.29 and 30

• (2012) 2 p.m. at OHC Center - Dec.29 and 30

• (2011) 3 p.m. at OHC Center - Dec.29 and 30

To register for the camp, click here.

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Auto Connect Donations $50,000 Towards Peterborough Animal Care Centre

The Peterborough Animal Care Centre (PACC) is one step closer to being complete as the Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) has received a $50,000 donation from Auto Connect Sales Inc. announced on Thursday.

The Peterborough Animal Care Centre will be over 24,000 square feet and include a state-of-the art Animal Adoption & Education Centre, Publicly Accessible & HighVolume Spay/Neuter Clinic and a Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre. Plans for completion and occupancy of the new Centre are targeted for year end, 2022. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Humane Society.

Cheryl Watson and Martin Tempelman, Auto Connect owners have contributed to several organizations including Kawartha Food Share, One Roof, 4 Paws and the Peterborough Humane Society.

“When we heard of this new Centre coming to Peterborough, we knew it would be important to the community and knew we wanted to be a part of it.” said Watson. “We are also excited to help with the big move, we will be using our cargo vans to help transport the animals to their new home. Our whole team wants to be involved.”

“Our continued partnership with Auto Connect has been extremely important in the success of our current shelter as well as our new Centre,” said Shawn Morey, PHS executive director. “We are also excited to give back too; this new Centre will revolutionize animal wellness in Peterborough and beyond. It is truly a Centre built for the community, by the community.”

In recognition of the donation, the roundabout at the entrance of the Centre and the front parking lot will be named in recognition of Auto Connect and be identified on the Donor Wall located in PACC’s lobby.

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Piece Of Peterborough History On Display At Auto Connect Sales

Auto Connect Sales invites the public to visit and view their newly installed photo of Westclox staff in 1947. This piece of Peterborough history was donated by Al Carmichael, who’s wife Rena (nee Warner) can be found in the photo.

Westclox opened in Peterborough in 1920 and made timepieces that were shipped around the world.

Rena worked there before switching careers and working at General Electric, another iconic Peterborough fixture.

Carmichael, who turned 94 on June 1, came to Peterborough from Nova Scotia in 1949.

He began working for ESSO and met his wife on a blind date set up by a friend.

The two were married a few years after the photo was taken, and remained together for 58 years until Rena’s passing.

Carmichael says the photo was found rolled up in the drawer of an old dresser.

Carmichael remained friends with Auto Connect salesperson Alexis Raffan after purchasing a car years ago and the two decided the photo would be best if displayed for everyone to see.

Auto connect owners Cheryl and Martin invite anyone to come in and admire this important piece of Peterborough history.

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Auto Connect Sales To Host Furry Friends For Adoption From Four Lucky Paws Animal Rescue On Saturday

Auto Connect Sales will be hosting Four Lucky Paws Animal Rescue on Saturday, in hopes to find some furry friends homes in Peterborough.

Four Lucky Paws with Banner the Dane, and Cheryl Watson at Auto Connect Sales. Photo courtesy of Auto Connect Sales.

From 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Auto Connect Sales will be filled with dogs and puppies available for adoption.

The public is welcome to drop in, visit some dogs and participate in their silent auction, face painting and barbeque, with proceeds going towards animal care.

Cheryl Watson, from Auto Connect, says prior to opening their Lansdowne location she worked with Katelyn Hubbert, the founder of Four Lucky Paws.

“We always try to do as many charitable thing as we can,” said Watson. “Now, here we are, we have the opportunity to help even more than before and we’re just hoping to bring more awareness to her rescue, and help find some puppies a home.”

Hubbert started this rescue on her own in 2014.

“That’s not an easy thing to do, start something from scratch,” said Watson. “I’m so proud of what she’s accomplished so far.”

Four Lucky Paws is a foster-based rescue, meaning they do not have a physical shelter for animals in their care.

Individuals sign up to temporarily house dogs until someone reaches out to adopt.

Four Lucky Paws relies on donations and volunteers to fund medical care, food, supplies, and training. All dogs in their care are spayed or neutered before adoption.

Watson hopes that even if they aren’t ready to adopt, those that come on Saturday may consider fostering a dog, or donating to allow Four Lucky Paws to continue the work they do.

“Even if you can’t adopt a dog right now, who doesn’t want to come snuggle a puppy for a day?”

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Auto Connect Sales Makes Donation To Peterborough Child and Family Services New PlayScape

Auto Connect Sales has made a $1000 donation to Peterborough Child and Family Services to help them complete their new natural playscape at their Antrim Street site.

Photo by Angela O’Grady.

The new Playscape will appear more ‘natural. This project will replace the existing structure with more natural elements like sand, water and open green space. It will be geared more towards younger children than the current structure.

“About five years ago we decided it was time to upgrade our outdoor Playscape, which hasn’t been updated in over 20 years,” said Nicola Lyle, CEO at Peterborough Child and Family Services.

Before they began the planning process, Peterborough Child and Family Services conducted a community consultation to find out what type of play area nearby families wanted. Lyle says that area of town houses a lot of young families, so the consensus was that a play space geared towards young, pre-school aged children would be the best fit. There is no lock on the gate to this facility, so it is open to anyone that wishes to use it.

Auto Connect Sales donates a portion of each sale they make quarterly, do a different local organization each time.

When Peterborough Child and Family Services reached out regarding a donation they had already lined up the organizations they would donate to this year, but liked the proposal so much they made a donation anyways.

“We thought this was really nice for kids to have a space to go to,” said Cheryl Watson. “As nice as Peterborough has been welcoming our new business, it’s nice to give back to the Peterborough community.”

In the past Auto Connect Sales has donated to organizations like Kawartha Food Share, One Roof Community Centre, Operation Catnip and The Peterborough Humane Society. Watson’s love of animals shows in her donating, though she says she likes to spread donations to all different types of charities.

“They’re doing great work and it’s open to everyone,” she said. “It shouldn’t be hard to be a kid, so anytime we can help with something like that it’s great to be able to give them a boost.”

Peterborough Child and Family Services are still fundraising to help complete their new Playscape, click the link to donate.

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Local Partnerships Turns 24 Free Meals Into 72 To Those In Need For the Holidays

UPDATED: Dec. 14, 2021 at 12:27 p.m.

After seeing Capra Toro’s announcement of 24 free meals to anyone in need for Dec. 19., car dealership Auto Connect Sales and J&L Services has footed the bill for an extra 24 meals each totalling 72.

The decision was made after Cheryl Watson saw the news from Capra Toro and told her husband Martin Templeman and owner of Auto Connect.

Templeman reached out to the Italian restaurant and will pay for an additional 24 meals to be handed out.

“This is a tough time of year for a lot of people so when you see someone do something nice, you want to participate,” said Templeman. “Someone that’s spreading joy or magic, it’s nice to be a part of it.”

The community outreach continued with J&L services as they added another 24 meals announced on Monday.

The meals are going towards individuals or families who are in need or going through rough patches.

The restaurant is encouraging anyone to contact them through Facebook or Instagram to write a brief message of anyone deserving of a meal.

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