A Night of Fashion for a Good Cause: Couture for Kids Returns in October in Support of Five Counties

By Scott Arnold

A Lindsay fashion show is returning next week, giving people a chance to enjoy a night out while helping support treatment services for local kids and youth.

A Lindsay fashion show is returning next week, giving people a chance to enjoy a night out while helping support treatment services for local kids and youth.

Couture for Kids returns to Lindsay on October 1st, bringing local fashion, fun and fundraising together in support of Five Counties Children’s Centre (photo courtesy of five counties children’s CEntre)

Five Counties Children’s Centre will host its third annual Couture for Kids fundraiser on Thursday, October 1st at Celebrations in Lindsay.

Doors open at 6pm, with the fashion show getting underway at 7pm.

The evening will feature clothing from seven local retailers: Brittany N Bros, Bonita Clothing & Co, Cathy Allan Ladieswear, John G’s, Homethreads Boutique, Nisbett’s Clothiers and The Lingerie Loft.

Along with the fashion show, guests can take part in raffle prizes and the Pass the Purse activity, with light snacks and a cash bar also available.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online or through participating retailers.

The fundraiser was first held in 2024 and has since become an annual fall event in the City of Kawartha Lakes.

More importantly, the money raised goes directly toward treatment services for local children and youth through Five Counties. Last year, 1,471 children and youth in Kawartha Lakes received services from the organization.

The fundraiser also supports efforts to reduce wait times, helping children access the services they need sooner.

Five Counties says the event has grown through support from local retailers, sponsors, volunteers and the community, with this year’s event once again bringing fashion and fundraising together for local kids and families.


Scott Arnold
is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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

A Day of Music at 100 Acre Brewing Will Support Men’s Mental Health Programs

By Scott Arnold

An all-day fundraiser on September 26th will bring music, food and community together while raising money for programs supporting veterans, military members and first responders.

An all-day fundraiser on September 26th will bring music, food and community together while raising money for programs supporting veterans, military members and first responders.

shawn brennan is one of the organizers for brewfest which is happening at 100 acre brewing company on ashburnham drive from 1-8pm on saturday, september 26th. (photo by scott arnold)

There will be plenty happening at 100 Acre Brewing on Saturday, September 26th, but the reason behind the day goes much deeper than a concert.

The brewery will host an all-day fundraising event supporting Grounded Warriors and FNV Ranch, two organizations providing mental health programs for veterans, military members and first responders.

The event runs from 1-8pm and will feature live performances from Ty Wilson, Brad Renaud, Jeanne Truax, Gunslingers, Spectre Gunship and Four on the Floor, along with raffle tables, food, a cornhole tournament and plenty of time for people to simply get together.

The cornhole tournament gets underway at 3pm, with a $1,000 prize. Anyone looking to take part must pre-register by emailing dreamteamconcerts@gmail.com.

For organizer Shawn Brennan, however, the day is about something much more important than the entertainment.

Brennan has been organizing fundraising efforts supporting mental health programs for veterans and first responders for about eight years. What started with events such as the Rock and Dive eventually grew to include an annual golf tournament at Highlands Military Base in Ottawa, and this year's event came together with Port Hope Police Chief Tim Farquharson and Brian Coones.

Brennan's involvement in the cause began with a deeply personal experience.

His father was a first responder in Peterborough and, like many responders of his generation, had his own methods of coping.

"My dad was a responder here in Peterborough and like the responders of that era, they had their methods of coping," Brennan said. "Unfortunately, that method took him. The body couldn't hold up to it."

Then several friends who had gone into service also passed away.

"One of them, you know, two weeks out from sitting with him behind my house at a fire, that's when I thought, how do we address this?" Brennan said. "Hey, I had no clue, no experience, but eight years later, here we are."

Since then, the fundraising efforts have helped give more than 150 responders an opportunity to take part in different programs.

"We're making some form of impact," Brennan said. "We're getting the messaging out. We're able to raise some money to help some organizations operate."

The need for programs that support those dealing with operational stress injuries and PTSD has been made particularly clear in recent weeks.

Three Canadian police officers died by suicide within days of one another in August, including members of Hamilton Police and Durham Regional Police on August 11th and August 12th, followed by an RCMP officer in Alberta on August 13th.

For Brennan, those losses reinforced why the work continues.

"Losing one is too many, but 357, the daily rate is still holding pretty strong," he said.

He believes encouraging access to mental health programs is important, but so is something much simpler.

"I think that we need to encourage programs and encourage accessibility of these programs," Brennan said. "But the biggest thing is encourage checking on each other every day, regardless of your environment, your day, that little bit of extra, like, 'Hey, how you doing today?' can mean a lot."

That message will be part of the event, which will begin with a mindfulness exercise before moving into the music and activities planned throughout the afternoon.

One of the organizations benefiting from the fundraiser is FNV Ranch, which offers a 10-day horseback PTSD program in the Rocky Mountains for veterans, military members and first responders. The program takes participants into a remote setting and is led by an experienced former operator and a psychologist.

The other is Grounded Warriors, which offers a two-day, off-grid mindfulness program in Marmora that includes hot and cold therapy and exercises designed to help participants reset their nervous system.

Brennan said the goal is to split the funds raised between the two organizations after the costs of putting on the event and paying the performers are covered.

The music lineup will include artists from different backgrounds, including Spectre Gunship, a band made up entirely of former Canadian special forces members.

There will also be plenty happening away from the stage, with raffle tables, food and the 3pm cornhole tournament.

Brennan hopes families will come out, enjoy the day and take in the message behind it without the event feeling overly formal.

"We want to see families in here," he said. "You know, they can understand the messaging that's here, participate in the day and socialize. It's going to be great food. I think all together it'll be a great day."

For those who cannot attend, Brennan says the organizations involved also accept donations throughout the year.

He points out that the organizations are volunteer-run, meaning the money raised helps cover the costs associated with getting people into these programs.

"These are truly volunteer organizations where 100% of the revenue is utilized to take individuals out," he said. "The unfortunate side of doing this stuff is there is a cost associated with it. And that's what we're trying to mitigate for them."

For everyone coming to 100 Acre Brewing on September 26th, though, the day is also an opportunity to simply be together.

"People see people, friends see friends," Brennan said. "Let's just catch up and have a good day."

And underneath all of it is a simple goal: helping make sure the people who spend their lives looking after others have somewhere to turn when they need help themselves.

The fundraising concert takes place Saturday, September 26th from 1-8pm at 100 Acre Brewing.


Scott Arnold
is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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

Fashion, Fun and Fundraising at Couture for Kids in Lindsay

By Scott Arnold

A night of local fashion, prizes and community spirit is coming to Lindsay in support of children and youth across the region.

A night of local fashion, prizes and community spirit is coming to Lindsay in support of children and youth across the region.

Local fashion will take centre stage at the 3rd Annual Couture for Kids Fashion Show Fundraiser in Lindsay on October 1st, with proceeds supporting services for local children and youth (photo via instagram @5countieskids)

The 3rd Annual Couture for Kids Fashion Show Fundraiser takes place Thursday, October 1st at Celebrations in Lindsay, with proceeds supporting Five Counties Children’s Centre.

The evening will feature fashions from local retailers, along with raffle prizes, light snacks and a cash bar.

Participating retailers include Brittany & Bros, Bonita Clothing & Co., Cathy Allan Ladieswear, John G’s, Home Threads Boutique, Nisbetts Clothiers and The Lingerie Loft Lindsay.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online or at participating stores.

Money raised will support treatment services for children and youth in Kawartha Lakes, helping reduce wait times for essential services and therapies.


Scott Arnold
is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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

Kids’ Night Power Wheels Race Returning to Kawartha Downs on Saturday

By Scott Arnold

The next generation of racers is getting ready to hit the track at Kawartha Downs this Saturday, with the third annual Kids’ Night Power Wheels Race supporting Five Counties Children’s Centre.

The next generation of racers is getting ready to hit the track at Kawartha Downs this Saturday, with the third annual Kids’ Night Power Wheels Race supporting Five Counties Children’s Centre.

Young racers will take to the track at Kawartha Downs during the third annual Kids’ Night Power Wheels Race on August 22nd, with proceeds supporting Five Counties Children’s Centre. (Photo via instagram @5countieskids)

The event takes place Saturday, August 22nd, inviting children ages 4 to 8 to race their battery-powered vehicles while helping raise money for Five Counties Children’s Centre.

Participants must be registered and have a signed release from a parent or guardian. Families are responsible for providing, loading, unloading and maintaining their child’s vehicle. The vehicles must use batteries no larger than 12V and cannot be modified.

Kawartha Downs will also have an O.R. Kids Corner and more activities taking place throughout the evening.

The event is a fun night for young racers and their families, while raising money for children and families supported by Five Counties.


Scott Arnold
is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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

Camp Kerry's Where Light Grows Fundraiser Rescheduled for February

By Scott Arnold

Camp Kerry’s Where Light Grows fundraiser has a new date, with the full lineup of artists still set to perform in support of the organization’s grief programs for children and families.

Camp Kerry’s Where Light Grows fundraiser has a new date, with the full lineup of artists still set to perform in support of the organization’s grief programs for children and families.

The Jalynn Bennett Amphitheatre at Trent University’s Traill College will host the first-ever Summer Soiree on August 20th (photo via instagram @newstagestheatre)

The fundraiser, originally scheduled for September 13th, has been moved to Thursday, February 4th, 2027, at 7pm at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in Peterborough.

Camp Kerry said the decision to reschedule was made because of a serious family health matter. The organization expressed its appreciation to the artists, sponsors, volunteers, ticket holders and community members for their understanding.

The good news for those who were looking forward to the event is that the lineup has not changed. The same artists originally announced for September will come together in February for an evening of music, storytelling and community in support of Camp Kerry and the children and families it serves.

Anyone who already purchased a ticket for the September 13th event does not need to purchase a new ticket. All tickets will be honoured for the February 4th performance.

Event Details

Where Light Grows: A Camp Kerry Fundraiser
Date: Thursday, February 4th, 2027
Time: 7pm
Location: Market Hall Performing Arts Centre, Peterborough

Camp Kerry provides grief support and bereavement programming for children, youth, adults and families navigating the loss of a loved one.

The fundraiser will now bring the community together on February 4th for the same purpose and the same artists, just on a new date.


Scott Arnold
is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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