Cabinetree Donates $50,000 To Habitat For Humanity After Completion Of Leahy's Lane Condo's

Cabinetree, a local manufacturer of cabinets and commercial components, donated $50,000 to Habitat For Humanity Peterborough & The Kawartha’s to help them continue to provide affordable housing in the area.

Michael Whitfield, Beverly Wellington, Laurel Angel, Jenn MacDonald. Photo by Luke Best.

Habitat for Humanity completed their Leahy’s Lane Condo project earlier this year and has the capacity to house 41 families.

Cabinetree provided cabinet units for the condo’s at this unit.

After completion, Cabinetree provided Habitat for Humanity with a $50,000 donation, in hopes to allow them to continue to provide affordable housing options in the Peterborough area.

“This is an investment in our community and it’s an investment in local families and we are so grateful for it,” said Jenn MacDonald, Habitat for Humanity.

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Birkhof Family Receives $1450 Donation From 8U Peterborough Tigers

The 8U Peterborough Tigers Baseball team hosted an online raffle to raise money in support of the Birkhof family, after the passing of their son Steve Stapley in August.

565 raffle tickets were sold and names were entered into an online random name generator on Sept. 3.

‘Y Drive’ was the name randomly chosen as winner.

This donation will go to the Birkhof family, to help ease the finacial costs that came with Stapley’s untimely passing.

Stapley’s nephew is a member of the 8U Peterborough Tigers.

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Kawartha Land Trust Receives 61-acre Woodlot From Two Anonymous Donors

A 61-acre woodlot featuring deep forest habitat was recently donated to Kawartha Land Trust (KLT) by two donors who wish to remain anonymous.

This mature woodlot, which is situated on limestone bedrock, is part of a connected, extensive forested area in Peterborough County.

Because of the donors’ long-time interest in land stewardship and sustainable forestry, the property contains a wide diversity of flora and fauna. It is also home to several species at risk, including the Butternut tree, Eastern Wood-Pewee and Wood Thrush.

“It's been a pleasure learning about the donor's intimate knowledge of the property and their inspiration to protect it forever,” said Thom Unrau, Director of Community Conservation. “Development pressures and high-grade logging are fragmenting woodlots like this one and I'm grateful to know that under KLT’s care this land will forever be managed to ensure its long-term health.”

The donors gifted the property, which they purchased several decades ago, to Kawartha Land Trust to ensure the forest and abundant wildlife would not be disturbed by future development.

“We’re extremely grateful to the donors of Pipers’ Woods for their generosity and commitment to protecting land in the Kawarthas,” said John Kintare, Executive Director. “This mature forest will continue to be home to species like the Barred Owl that prefer older forests that cannot be quickly or easily re-established once gone.”

The dedication of Kawartha Land Trust’s donors, volunteers, and supporters has resulted in the acquisition of 11 new properties in the past two years, which has expanded KLT’s protected lands to almost 5,000 acres, providing additional safe havens for wildlife in the Kawarthas and securing important ecological landscapes help combat climate change.

At the request of the donors, Pipers’ Woods will not be open to public access and its location will not be disclosed in order to ensure the preservation of its sensitive habitats.

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Herod Financial Services Donates $20,000 To CMHA HKPR To Support Journeying Together Program

Herod Financial Services has donated $20,000 to the Journeying Together program at Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR), announced on Tuesday.

Photo by Luke Best.

CMHA HKPR’s Journeying Together program provides education and support to caregivers and family members of individuals with a mental health concern. The program supports approximately 250 individuals per year, helping them learn how to better support their loved ones and themselves.

The Journeying Together program is available to caregivers in Peterborough and County, Northumberland, Haliburton, and Kawartha Lakes.

“The Herods are leaders in supporting caregiver mental health in our community and they have championed our Journeying Together program since 2014. The Herod’s support has been instrumental in the success of the program,” said Jack Veitch, Manager of Community Engagement and Education at CMHAHKPR.

The Family Education Support Worker facilitates a 9 session educational group to assist family, friends and caregivers in the development of capacity and skills related to living with a loved one who has mental health concerns. Topics are based on common needs of caregivers.

Topics that family members and caregivers may learn about include:

• Understanding Mental Illness and Stigma

• Navigating the Mental Health System

• Communication

• Boundaries, Limits and Expectations

• Addressing Emotions

• Stress and Self-care

• Crisis and Relapse Planning

“It is so important for individuals suffering a mental health concern to have a strong support system. Journeying Together helps sustain the people who love and support their family member or friend who is having challenges. We are so blessed to be able to help the CMHA deliver this important service,” said Kevan Herod, CEO of Herod Financial Services.

“We know that the pandemic has had a significant impact on mental health in our community and we recognize the toll that this has taken on caregivers of loved ones with a mental health concern. Programs, like our Journeying Together program, are needed now more then ever,” says Veitch.

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Lindsay Woman Donates $50,000 To Fund Fleming College Bursary To Honour Her Late Husband

A new bursary will help Fleming College students for years to come thanks to a $50,000 donation from Lindsay resident Shirley O’Neill.   

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

The Paul and Shirley O’Neill Student Bursary is open to financially eligible students enrolled in the Practical Nursing, Personal Support Worker, Heavy Equipment Techniques and Resources Drilling Technician programs. 

Shirley wanted to make the significant donation to honour her late husband, Paul. Shirley also wanted to make a contribution that would ensure the great work of future nursing and PSW graduates at Fleming College continues.  

Paul and Shirley O’Neill, both born in Lindsay, met as teenagers at a local dance hall. They married in 1962.   

The couple spent most of their working years in Oshawa, devoting much of their 30-year careers to Oshawa Hydro and General Motors. They returned to the Lindsay area after retirement.  

Paul passed away in 2013.   

At 88 years old, Shirley is an avid sports fan and counts both the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Blue Jays among her favourite teams.   

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Peterborough Humane Society Receives Over $30,000 In Donations Unexpectedly From Various Residents

As the Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) works toward completion of the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre, the organization has seen a welcomed influx of impromptu community support.

According to PHS, Bob and Betty Burgess or Peterborough came into the shelter one day to donate blankets and towels. Later, staff discovered the Burgess’ had also silently included an envelope with a cheque for $10,000. Betty’s love for animals prompted them to donate after downsizing and selling their home.

“We thought the extra money we got from the sale of our house could help more animals” said Bob. The couple have 2 rescue cats of their own and were known for caring for many other cats in their community.

Gary and Ferne Earle contributed for a similar reason.

“Our love for animals is what motivated us to give. When we saw the 'Our Pet Project' ads on television we saw an opportunity to celebrate the work that the Humane Society does for animals.” said Ferne, “Companion animals have brought a lot of love into our home, many times they gave us peace and serenity. The Humane Society does great work and we were fortunate enough to be able to give. We hope more people donate to help out these animals in need.”

The couple who have been married for over 57 years phoned the Shelter and donated $20,000.

Amanda Ferguson, a Registered Veterinary Technician is also passionate about animal welfare, and knowing that the Peterborough Humane Society is growing, thought it was a great time to help and donated $1,000 online.

“My donation was made in memory of our late dogs, Coco and Jagger. I currently work as Practice Manager at Rice Lake Animal Hospital, where the entire team is dedicated to the health and wellbeing of animals big and small, and look forward to seeing the great work that PHS does continue to grow when in their new home.” said Ferguson.

“The spontaneity of community giving has been noticed and is extremely appreciated. The impact these gifts have no matter the size, supports the tireless work our dedicated team provides to care for animals in our community and beyond, and will also help immensely with building our new home where we can assist more animals, and provide game changing opportunities for animals and their humans. We need more community support like this to help us reach our goal and start the next chapter in animal wellness at our new Centre,” said Shawn Morey, Executive Director of the Peterborough Humane Society “Giving can be as easy as going online, calling or walking in. We encourage everyone to stand up, come together for animal welfare, and make this their pet project.”

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CMHA HKPR Receives $6,700 From 100 Women Of Northumberland For Trans Peer Outreach Program

The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) has been selected as the recipient of the latest grant of $6,700 from the 100 Women of Northumberland.

Photo courtesy of CMHA HKPR.

The donation will go towards CMHA HKPR’s Trans Peer Outreach program.

“We are so grateful for the support of the 100 Women of Northumberland. This grant will go directly towards enhancing the Trans Peer Outreach Family Supports by allowing us to offer more group opportunities and 1:1 supports,” said Carl Cruise-Baxter, Trans Peer Outreach Worker with CMHA HKPR. “This will allow us to help more family, friends, caregivers, and loved ones of individuals who are trans, non-binary, or gender questioning,”

The 100 Women of Northumberland consists of a group of local women who meet four times per year and select a local registered charity or non-profit to receive a collective grant in the amount of the membership contributions at the time of the meeting. The idea is that by joining funds, the group can make more of an impact, creating real change within the community.

CMHA HKPR’s Trans Peer Outreach program offers supports and services for transgender and gender diverse people and their families, to assist them to improve the quality of their lives through the provision of community-based, client centered care that supports positive interdependence. Services are delivered by people with lived experience as a transgender or gender-diverse person, and who also may have experience living with a mental health concern.

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Dr. Patricia And David Morton Donate 133 Acres Of Land To Kawartha Land Trust

Local philanthropists Dr. Patricia and David Morton have donated 133 acres of land to the Kawartha Land Trust (KLT).

Kawartha Land Trust's 133-acre Morton Nature Sanctuary features 1.5 km of natural, undeveloped lakefront shoreline. Photo courtesy of Thomas Unrau/KLT

The densely forested land includes 1.5 kilometres of undeveloped, natural lakefront shoreline and at least two at-risk species including the Eastern Ribbonsnake and Eastern Wood Pewee.

“Our major goal and great wish [was] to protect, conserve and preserve this land, forest and habitat now and for the foreseeable future as, in effect, our legacy and gift to our Mother Nature,” said Dr. Morton.

The Morton Nature Sanctuary is part of the “The Land Between” transitional landscape zone and almost 60% of the property falls within the Kawarthas Naturally Connected (KNC) natural heritage system.

“I had the pleasure of visiting the property for a habitat inventory prior to the donation,” said Thomas Unrau, KLT’s Director of Community Conservation. “During a lunch break, we paused in a majestic stand of Red Pines overlooking the lake, birds calling all around us. Sitting in that forest, I experienced a great moment of peace, knowing the land would be protected through our collaboration with the Mortons.”

The dedication of Kawartha Land Trust’s donors, volunteers, and supporters has resulted in the acquisition of 10 new properties in the past two years, which has expanded KLT’s protected lands to 4,800 acres, providing additional safe havens for wildlife in the Kawarthas and securing important ecological landscapes help combat climate change.

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Second Annual Panda Feeds Canada Golf Tournament Brings In $2600 For Kawartha Food Share

Panda Feeds Canada, a grassroots organization aiming to end nationwide hunger starting in Peterborough, hosted its second annual golf tournament at Keystone Links Golf Club and raised $2,600 for Kawartha Food Share.

Photo courtesy of Andrew Parnell.

To date, Panda Feeds Canada has contributed over $15,000 to local food banks and over 20,000 lbs of food.

Beginning in March of 2021, Andrew Parnell created the Instagram page ‘Panda Feeds Canada’ in hopes to gain enough followers to have the ability to present advertisements and sponsorships via the social media platform.

Mid April of this year that account got hacked, and ultimately had to be deleted which means everything that Parnell had been working towards was gone - though that didn’t stop him.

Parnell started from scratch and is slowly gaining followers back.

The golf tournament was already in motion before the original account was deleted, and went off successfully.

Because of KFS’s buying power, the $2,600 donated by Parnell will have approximately six times the buying power - meaning they can purchase $15,600 worth of food.

He hopes that next year the golf tournament generates over $5,000.

“Try and make a difference. You might put some hard hours into it but you’ll feel good about what you’ve done, even if you only make a minor change and help one person it’s worth it,” said Parnell in a part interview with PTBOCanada. “There’s too much negativity in this world right now so any kindness and compassion that we can put out into the universe is only going to help everyone in the long run.”

To donate to Kawartha Food Share click here. To be featured on Panada Feeds Canada send a screenshot of your donation via direct message.

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Rotary Club Of Peterborough Kawartha Commits $25,000 To A New Passenger Coach On Miniature Train At Riverview Park And Zoo

The Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha has committed $25,000 of support to sponsor a passenger coach of the new miniature train at Riverview Park and Zoo.

File Photo.

The passenger coach is one of three available for sponsorship as part of the Park and Zoo’s project to replace the existing locomotive and coaches.

The miniature train ride was first established in 1974 with the support of James Hamilton. After nearly 50 years and many kilometers of service, the existing locomotive and coaches now need to be replaced.

“This generous offer of support by the Peterborough Kawartha Rotary Club is just one more example of a long tradition of the club’s support of our community at large, and the Park and Zoo in particular,” said Jim Moloney, Manager Curator Riverview Park and Zoo. “Their commitment is a big step in putting us on track to meeting our fundraising goal of $300,000.”

"We are excited to once again work with Riverview Park and Zoo. We have committed $25,000 for the purchase of the new miniature train which has always been a major attraction for visitors at the zoo, Community partnerships are very important to our club as shown in our past contributions,” Carl Brown, Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha President. “In the past, Kawartha Rotary has financed park benches and in 2019 provided $30,000 for the purchase and installation of an Outdoor Musical Playground. We know that the new train will provide countless joy to the community.”

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