Fleming Student Association Makes Multi-Million Dollar Donation to Support Student-Life

Fleming College’s Student Administrative Council (SAC) located at the Sutherland Campus in Peterborough has donated $3,415,500 to the College announced Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

The funding was announced during a ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 7. The donation comes from funds which were designated for transportation and programming enhancements that SAC saved from student fees.

“Fleming College’s Student Administrative Council continues to demonstrate student leadership,” said Maureen Adamson, Fleming College president. “This significant gift will make a difference in the lives of students for generations to come. We appreciate SAC’s ongoing commitment to supporting Fleming students.”

$2.3 million of the donation has been earmarked for an Endowment Fund in effort to create a permanent legacy at Fleming College through supporting transportation initiatives and food security programs that directly impact student life.  

More than $2 million of the contribution supports bursaries that help alleviate direct student transit costs, and create micro-bursaries for students facing emergency or hardship situations and unmet critical needs. $1 million will support capital enhancements to transportation at the Peterborough campus, and these funds will go directly to improving the quality of student transit spaces and amenities. The remaining funds will support food security projects that directly help students who are struggling with food insecurity.

Fleming SAC is a non-profit corporation that advocates for the social and political needs of students at the college. The SAC Board of Directors represent the collective voice on campus and implements programming that addresses the needs of students. 

“Fleming SAC is always there for students, and we have a deep history of supporting students while on campus,” says Joel Willett, SAC general manager. “This donation to the college is important to SAC and our Board as it signifies our existing and future commitment to students.” 

For more information visit the Fleming College website.

Kawartha Contractors Dream Big Campaign Fundraises For SickKids Foundation

Cutting Edge Landscaping and Excavating and Harrison Truck Centre are raising money for the SickKids Foundation through the second annual ‘Kawartha Contractors Dream Big Campaign,’ raising over $17,000 so far.

This is the second year of this campaign which is fundraising to ‘(build) a new SickKids that’s even safer for every child in our community,’ according to the campaign page.

The Kawartha Contractor Dream Big Campaign has raised 89 per cent of their $20,000 goal with $17,700.

Recognized donations include Lakeside Mobile Tire Inc., Monaghan Lumber Specialties and more.

“… last year we spent many weeks at SickKids Children’s Hospital following an accident with our daughter Kacie. I can’t begin to describe what an amazing place SickKids is and how lucky we are to have it available to us when in the time of need. With that said I am happy to be able to donate to such a great cause through this campaign,” said Ryan Kelly (RK Designs), thanking both Cutting Edge and Fawcett Excavating LTD.

Donations can be made to the Kawartha Contractor Dream Big Campaign here.

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Children's Gift Wishes Being Granted Through 33rd Annual Santa's Sleigh Program

The Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation (KHCAS) has launched its 33rd annual Santa’s Sleigh program encouraging the community to grant 850 children’s Christmas wish lists at Walmart (Chemong location) announced Thursday.

Ireland Reid, 6, telling Santa Claus what she wanted for Christmas during the launch of Santa’s Sleigh at Walmart. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The children affiliated with the charity wrote their gift lists on cards to be hung on a Christmas tree at Walmart. Anyone can grab the card, purchase the gift and donate it in a dropbox shaped like Santa’s sleigh.

Money, gift cards and presents not on wish lists are encouraged and accepted for the program as alternate ways to help.

"They (the children) have to be involved in the local Children's Aid Society and so they would have been referred there because there is something going on in their family that they need help with so the Children's Aid Society is involved and trying to help that family and we wanted to give themselves a boost this Christmas,” said Carrie Truman, KHCAS executive director.

The campaign runs from Nov. 24 to Dec. 5 at noon at Walmart (Chemong Road location).

Members of the Peterborough Lions Club, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Association of REALTORS and Corus Entertainment have volunteered to help add new cards to the tree and collect items from donors.

Click here to make an online monetary donation to the charity.

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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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Central Smith Creamery Running Second Annual "Fill The Truck" Food Drive For Kawartha Food Share

Central Smith Creamery is loading up for Kawartha Food Share as they are running their second annual ‘Fill the Truck’ campaign, collecting non-perishable goods for Kawartha Food Share from Dec. 1 - 15.

between 2017 and 2018, Around 14.5 per cent of Peterborough residents lived with food insecurity according to the Peterborough Food Action Network. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The campaign fills its trucks with donations instead of ice cream as they challenge community members, businesses schools and organizations to help them collect goods.

Anyone can drop off any non-perishable goods at any participating location in the Peterborough and surrounding area including Central Smith.

On Dec. 16, the Selwyn-based business collects the goods from each drop-off spot and delivers them to Kawartha Food Share.

The following is a list of participating businesses so far:

• Suzi Home Maker

• Sullivan’s General Store

• Holiday Inn

• Ferndale Bible Church

• Kingdon Timber Mart

• Kawartha Orthodontics

• Applewood Retirement Residence

• Dentistry on Sherbrook

• Peterborough KIA

• Kawartha Buttertart Factory

• McWilliams Moving & Storage Ltd.

• Hospice Peterborough

• Home Hardware Building Centre

• Scotiabank

• The Publican House

• Lakefield Herald

• Crestwood Secondary School

• Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber

• Style Boutique

Last year, the campaign collected over 5,000 lbs. of food and almost $10,000 in cash donations.

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East Peterborough Lions Club Great Turkey Exchange To Help Families in Need This Christmas

The East Peterborough Lions Club is seeking community donations of turkeys and hams through their ‘Great Turkey Exchange’ this Christmas; collecting and distributing them for families in need announced Wednesday.

The Great Turkey Exchange operated from 2009 until 2020, taking a hiatus in 2021 after supply chain shortages made it difficult to get donations.

Over its history, the program has delivered the main course for 17,000 Christmas dinners in the Peterborough area.

“Our club has helped out by delivering turkeys to groups and we saw how grateful people are to have strangers help feed their families,” says Frank Hewitt, East Peterborough Lions Club service chair. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to resuscitate the program and fill such a great need in our community.”

The Lions say turkey and hams donated to the program typically come from individuals and businesses who recognize both the sentimental and nutritional value of a traditional Christmas meal. The community can help by donating turkeys and hams, or cash donations to purchase these items.

Donations can be dropped off at Kawartha Food Share located at 665 Neal Dr. or picked up by emailing your address to greatturkeyexchange@gmail.com.

For families who are unable to afford a turkey or a ham this holiday season, email greatturkeyexchange@gmail.com and ask to be put on the donation list.

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GoFundMe Created For Local Teacher That Suffered Fatal Injuries From Single-Vehicle Accident

A GoFundMe has been set up to honour the memory of grade 5/6 teacher Lucia Colacci who passed away in a single-vehicle accident on Pigeon Lake Road on Monday.

Facebook photo.

The 51-year-old St. John Paul II Catholic Elementary School teacher was married to her husband Jeff Kitney and had three children, Mateo, Marco and Natalia.  

The money raised will ease the financial burdens following Colacci’s death.

On Monday, Kawartha Lakes OPP responded to the scene of a single-vehicle rollover on Pigeon Lake Road around 8:30 a.m. near Downeyville.

Colacci was transported to the hospital from the scene where she later passed away. 

Kindergarten teacher Patricia Campbell says she worked together with Colacci for years, calling her both a friend and a colleague.

“If you knew Lucia, you knew that her presence was undeniable. When she walked into a room, she oozed confidence, enthusiasm, and self-assurance,” said Campbell. “She had a big smile, a big voice, and an even bigger personality but her students never felt intimidated by her. That was because in addition to being a great speaker, Lucia was also a great listener and an even better observer.”

Campbell and Colacci worked together at St. John Paul II and previously at St. Dominic CES.

“Lucia was the kind of educator that all educators aspire to be. Over the course of her teaching career she motivated and inspired hundreds of young people and she undoubtedly left a lasting impression on each and every one of them. Lucia had a way of breaking down walls and reaching even the most reluctant of learners. In her classroom, everyone was seen. Nobody was forgotten or ignored. Lucia made each of her students feel valued, respected, and cared for,” continued Campbell. “Her absence will be felt deeply. In our community, in our school, in our hearts. But even in her absence, Lucia will continue to teach all of us; about generosity, kindness, empathy, patience and faith, along with a multitude of other things. We were all blessed beyond measure to know her.”

Additional social workers were assigned to the school on Tuesday and are available for any students who require additional support.

Mental health support is offered through the Kids Helpline 24/7. Text CONNECT to 686868, or call toll-free at 1-800-668-6868.

The school’s flag was lowered at half-mast to honour Colacci’s memory.

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The Porch Pirates For Good Campaign is Back on Nov. 12

Kawartha Food Share’s (KFS) Porch Pirates For Good food drive is back, collecting non perishable donations from house porches in the community for Nov. 12.

Photo courtesy of Kawartha Food Share.

Leave a donation bag on your porch by 9 a.m. on Nov. 12 and the pirates will come by and collect it.

As flyers will not be distributed prior this year, KFS reminds you to mark your bag so it’s indentifiable to the porch pirates.

Any and all non perishable food items are appreciated, especially:

• Tuna

• Pasta sauce

• Mac and cheese

• Peanut butter

• Pasta noodles

• Individually packaged children’s school snacks (i.e. apple sauce, fruit cups, Chewy granola bars)

Donations can be made to Kawartha Food Share year round by dropping them off at the warehouse at 665 Neal Drive, Unit 1.

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Kawartha Downs Donates $25,000 Towards Construction Completion of Peterborough Animal Care Centre

Caring about more than just horses, Kawartha Downs Raceway has donated $25,000 towards the Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) to help complete construction of the Peterborough Animal Care Centre (PACC) announced on Wednesday.

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 & High-Volume Spay/Neuter Clinic and a Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Humane Society.

In recognition of the donation, a dog adoption suite will be named in honour of Kawartha Downs and will also be recognized on the Donor Wall located in the lobby of the new PACC.

“Kawartha Downs provides entertainment for families and supports the community. We are also all animal lovers her,” shared Summer Nickerson-Hagen of Kawartha Downs. “Kawartha Downs would like to recognize the hard work and dedication of the Peterborough Animal Care Centre in caring for our community’s most vulnerable pets.”

“Support from local businesses like Kawartha Downs is extremely important to the success of this project,” said Shawn Morey, PHS executive director. “This new Centre will set a new standard in animal wellness and care, Peterborough will be part of a Canadian-first, which will support our local businesses and community.”

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Peterborough Women Takes Home New Car in PTBO Crime Stoppers Annual Car Raffle Fundraiser

Barb Erskine of Peterborough drove away in a brand new Nissan Maxima on Thursday, which she had won in this year's Crime Stoppers car raffle fundraiser.

Barb Erskine takes the wheel for the first time of her 2022 Nissan Maxima Platinum Edition. Photo by Luke Best

The 2022 Nissan Maxima Platinum Edition purchased at Trans Canada Nissan was donated to Peterborough Northumberland Crime Stoppers by Steve Daynes, the general manager of The Staffing Connection and Level A Professional Group. 

"I think it's important because I live in Peterborough and I want to support my community and make sure that it's safe,” said Daynes in a previous interview with PTBOCanada. “We have locations throughout the area of Peterborough and in Cobourg as a business and I want to make sure we give back to the communities that we serve."

Steve Daynes (Left) shakes hands with Erskine. Photo by Luke Best

With a value of roughly $50,000, Erskine never expected to win the car and saw the ticket purchase as more of a donation.

"Honestly, I was doing it for the cause. I'm very, very supportive of Crimestoppers. I really am," says Erskine.

Erskine was ticket #1347 of the 3110 sold. Because of Daynes' generous donation, Crime Stoppers raised just over $48,000 to fund their program.

Coming from driving a Toyota Corolla previously, Erskine was feeling a little nervous about the 300 horsepower.

Crime Stoppers is a not-for-profit organization that relies on donations and fundraising efforts to keep the program running.

(L-R) Daynes, Detective Constable Keith Calderwood and Provincial Constable Greg Stokes congratulate Erskine on her win. Photo by Luke Best

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