Local Woman Wins Over $66k with PRHC Foundation 50/50 Draw

The Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation has wrapped up their first ever 50/50 Lottery and announced local woman Judy Johnston as the winner.

Photo courtesy of PRHC Foundation.

Johnston won $66,902.50 with ticket number A-2580031 and chose the $2,500 Resorts of Ontario Gift Certificate bonus prize.

Launched on September 15 and featuring Early Bird Prizes in addition to the Grand Prize, the proceeds from the 50/50 Lottery directly support the PRHC Foundation.

Tickets for the November lottery are on sale now.

‘Thousand Dollar Thursday’ draws will be held on Nov. 18 and 25, and will award one winner $1,000.

The November lottery runs until Nov. 29 with the winner drawn on Nov. 30. The grand prize is a growing jackpot plus a bonus prize of a $2,500 Resorts of Ontario Gift Certificate or $2,000 cash.

Ticket options include 10 tickets for $10, 40 tickets for $20, 160 tickets for $40 or 400 tickets for $75. Ticket buyers must be 18 years of age or older and in the province of Ontario to play.

Tickets can only be purchased online at www.prhcfoundation5050.com

“There are significant investments needed to fund the technological advancements and essential medical equipment required to support great patient care,” said Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation President and CEO. “That’s why the support of the community is so important. The proceeds from the new 50/50 Lottery will help fund the equipment and technology that form the foundation of patient care.”

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Local Man Takes Cancer Diagnosis in Stride and Starts 'Dave's Walk Against Cancer' to Raise Funds for PRHC

Local man Dave Graham is taking his cancer diagnosis in stride and fundraising for the Cancer Clinic at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC).

Dave meets one of his neighbors on his walks. Photo courtesy of Dave Graham.

Graham was diagnosed with colon cancer in March, had surgery and is now receiving chemotherapy twice a month.

“It took me totally by surprise,” he said. “I had no symptoms, no nothing. I thought ‘this is crazy’. But the more I thought of it I figured there has to be some sort of good come out of it.”

He visited PRHC and got to work setting up his fundraiser, in partnership with the PRHC Foundation.

Starting in August, Graham committed to walking 7,000 steps each day until Dec. 17 in hopes to raise $5,000.

Walking rain or shine, by the end of this fundraiser he will have walked 775,000 steps.

Not even one month into his fundraiser, after his ninth cancer treatment, Graham has raised over $6,700. After seeing the success his fundraiser is having he has changed his goal to $10,000.

“It’s just phenomenal. I’m so pleased with what Christ has done to encourage donations. The people donating - I know most of them, they’re wonderful people.”

Graham says these walks have allowed him to meet neighbors he never has before, and he now appreciates even more the landscape around his home with fall colours coming through.

“I start my walk at about 7:30, walk about two miles and it takes about an hour. I come home and my wife has the coffee ready, it’s exciting.”

In addition to his personal fundraiser, Graham’s son and daughter have started their own fundraisers for the Cancer Centre at PRHC.

“It’s almost like we’re starting a family business,” he says.

Dave says the cows he walks by daily have become quite friendly. Photo courtesy of Dave Graham.

“Cancer blew me away, but through His grace I’ve been able to do what I am doing. My faith has carried me through but my determination has also helped considerably.”

Graham says his walks have helped him to feel good throughout his diagnosis, his last round of treatment is Dec. 1.

All money raised will help fund the equipment and technology PRHC’s Cancer Care team use to provide compassionate cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment.

Online donations will go directly to the PRHC Foundation and a receipt will be issued automatically. Donations can also be made by cash or cheque (made out to the PRHC Foundation) through Dave Graham who will pass them on to the Foundation.

Tax receipts will be issued by the Foundation in time for the 2021 tax deadline.

To donate click here.

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Selwyn Public Library is Hosting an Online Auction to Support Library Services

The Selwyn Public Library is holding an online silent auction from Nov. 1- Nov. 12, to raise funds toward the Support Our Library Campaign.

Bridgenorth Branch of Selwyn Public Library. Photo courtesy of Selwyn Public Library.

Fundraising revenues support library services such as virtual collections and resources (eBooks and eAudiobooks), adult and children’s programs, and community outreach initiatives including the home library service, pop-up libraries, and our pollinator garden.

These funds have traditionally been raised through the effort of volunteers at the libraries New-to-You stores, along with annual book sales. However, with the required intermittent closures of these stores and the inability to hold our annual book sales due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the library has been exploring new ways to raise these revenues.

This year's goal is to raise $10,000.

Selwyn Public Library’s Auction will be completely online, allowing participants to bid for items from home.

The auction is made possible through generous donations from community members and local businesses. It will feature a wide variety of interesting items including artwork, gift baskets, unique experiences, and gift certificates.

To view items and to bid, visit www.galabid.com/selwynlibrary

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LOVE YOU Shoppers Drug Mart Campaign to Support YWCA

Proceeds from the 20th annual LOVE YOU by Shoppers Drug Mart campaign in Peterborough will support local YWCA services for women experiencing gender-based violence.

File photo

Until Friday, Nov. 5, customers have the opportunity to purchase and personalize a $1 leaf, $5 butterfly, $10 apple, or a $50 bird in support of the YWCA. Icons will be displayed in each store’s front window for the duration of the campaign.

“We’re honoured and grateful to have been selected as Shoppers Drug Mart’s charity of choice again this year,” said YWCA’s Ria Nicholson. “Unfortunately, violence against women tends to increase leading up to the holiday season. Our community’s compassionate support will ensure that emergency shelter and crisis supports continue to be available for women in need.”

YWCA Peterborough Haliburton offers an array of women-centred programs, including Crossroads Shelter, which provides 24 hour emergency shelter, meals and support to women, with and without children, who are fleeing abuse of any kind (physical, emotional, sexual or financial), 365 days a year.

“Our community’s response so far this year has been truly heartening,” said Mohan Joshi, Pharmacist/Owner of the Shoppers Drug Marts on Lansdowne Street and Chemong Road in Peterborough. “It’s a pleasure to partner with the YWCA and to be able to raise awareness about such an important local resource for women.”

The LOVE YOU by Shoppers Drug Mart fall fundraising program to grow women’s health is a four-week program held across Canada each fall. In support of leading women’s health organizations, customers, staff and Associate-Owners at over 1,360 Shoppers Drug Mart/Phamaprix/Wellwise locations raise funds through the purchase and personalization of the fall program paper icons.

Since 2011, LOVE YOU by Shoppers Drug Mart™ has supported more than 450 women’s charities annually across Canada.

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Selwyn Couple and Local Charities Win Over $27,000 From Lions Club Raffle

The Lions Club lived up to their motto of “We Serve” as the Fowlers Corners’ branch ran their “Catch the Ace” raffle where over $27,000 was given to a lucky couple and local charities on Tuesday.

(left to right) Brent Shepherd, Big Brothers, Big Sisters Peterborough; Lyn Giles, Five Counties Children's Centre; Alison Casey, Hospice Peterborough; Ria Nicholson and Kim Dolan of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton as the respective representatives for accepting the $14,400 cheque. Photo Courtesy of The Fowlers Corners Lions Club.

The Ace was caught at the end of September by Dave and Barb Edgerton of Selwyn, who won the jackpot of $13,333. Clients of four charities including Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Peterborough; Five Counties Children's Centre; Hospice Peterborough and YMCA Peterborough Haliburton won a share of $14,400.

The contest was launched in April to help local charities continue their work by supporting those in need in our community.

(left to right) Front row: Paul Ranger, Kristin Allen, Cathy Langlois, Bernie Baudisch and Carl Young.

Back Row: Chris Allen, John Dewar, Scott Mason, Brent Shepherd, Lyn Giles, Alison Casey, Ria Nicholson, Kim Dolan and Larry Franks. Photo Courtesy of The Fowlers Corners Lions Club.

Ticket sales will also support activities for children on the waiting list at Big Brothers Big Sisters Peterborough; treatment for children with physical, development and communication needs at Five Counties Children’s Centre; care for people who are at end-of-life at Hospice Peterborough; and, help local women and their children escaping gender-based violence at YWCA Peterborough Haliburton.

“Lions’ fundraising activities have been significantly impacted by Covid-19 the past two years so new opportunities were explored. In the absence of face-to-face fundraising, we turned to the internet and options for the public to participate in our fundraising from home,” said Chris Allen, Lions Club president “A Catch the Ace raffle seemed like a reasonable opportunity and fortunately it helped us raise funds for four very important local organizations. The support of the public in this fundraiser was both key to its success and appreciated.”

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The Pumpkin Painter Embraces the Halloween Spirit and Raises Funds for Cystic Fibrosis

Local artist Samantha Hirdes is busy painting and selling pumpkins to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis Canada, despite the annual charity night being cancelled due to COVID-19.

Photo courtesy of Samantha Hirdes.

For the last 12 years Hirdes has been helping out at a local Cystic Fibrosis Benefit night.

“Six years ago, I started painting pumpkins and doing a 'paint your own' table at the fundraising event so the kids attending had something fun to do, and it's just evolved from there,” said Hirdes. “I care a lot about the cause, so I ended up finding a way to overcome that barrier of COVID and continue to deliver pumpkins.”

Hirdes has set up a website so that those interested can order a painted pumpkin. 100 percent of the proceeds will be donated to Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

A pumpkin can take Hirdes anywhere from one to four hours to paint, depending on the intricacy of the design, chosen by the customer.

At the in-person charity event, Hirdes estimates she makes an average of $280 yearly, which is all donated to CF Canada. Last year, the first year Hirdes painted pumpkins outside of the in-person fundraiser, she raised over $600.

The pumpkins come in three sizes, and are completely customizable. They are all donated by Leahy’s Farm Market.

“They always donate all of the pumpkins, we just show up and they hand them right over they say take whatever you want - which is amazing.”

This year Hirdes has painted over 35 pumpkins, and is still taking orders. While her ultimate goal is to fundraise, Hirdes is a one woman show and there is limited availability in the amount of art she can create before Halloween.

Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time. While Canada is at the forefront of Cystic Fibrosis research, there is no government funding.

Because of extensive research, made possible by fundraising, this year a new medication is being approved, in almost all the provinces and territories to treat the two most common types of CF.

To order a pumpkin, or to make a monetary donation visit ThePumpkinPainter.com

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Jigsaw Puzzles of Peterborough Zoo's Miniature Train Sold To Fundraise New Locomotive

The Riverview Park & Zoo is selling jigsaw puzzles of its iconic James Hamilton miniature train in a fundraising effort for a new locomotive that launched on Friday.

The train travels on a bridge through a forest of artificial and natural attractions but does not run through the zoo. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Roughly 750 copies of the 308-piece puzzle have been made to help fund the required $650,000 — along with other fundraisers — for a new train projected for 2023 according to Paul Hartung, zoo board member.

The puzzle is sold for $20 at the zoo’s gift shop and stores such as Brant Basics, Griffins Greenhouses, Fork in the Road Country Market and Ennismore Pharmacy. Other stores could soon follow suit.

Calyptic Creations, a commercial printer based out of Calgary created the puzzle where Hartung knew through the Rotary Club of Peterborough.

The train needs to be replaced since its parts are no longer manufactured and getting new parts would be costly says Hartung.

“We would have to hire an engineer to make a new part for us and it could cost us roughly $200-$300 an hour,” he explained.

The train opens during the summer season from daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Photo Courtesy of Paul Hartung.

Hartung researched the campaign idea in December last year. The zoo’s advisory committee agreed to the idea and began planning the fundraising process.

The train was built in 1974 that costs two dollars to ride and is free for children under two.

The miniature train ride is an 1860 locomotive replica. Located under sabre jet, the train track is over two kilometres and the ride is roughly ten minutes long according to the zoo’s website.

“This is a way that can probably help us prepare for a replacement of the train and hopefully the new train will last us another 50 years and another three or four generations,” reflected Hartung. “The fun of it is to go for the ride.”

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$20,000 Raised From Ruck and Dive Event To Support Work-Related PTSD

After a month-long Ruck and Dive event, the fundraiser will give $20,000 towards Wounded Warriors Canada for two service dogs for anyone experiencing PTSD from work-related trauma this Saturday.

Members of the event skydived from 14,000 feet in the air. Photo Courtesy of Shawn Brennan.

The cheque presentation will occur in a ceremony at Peterborough Cenotaph in front of City Hall with first responders, armed forces and other dignitaries present for the event.

The money was raised through the “30-Day Ruck and Dive Challenge for PTSD 2021” from July 16 to Aug. 14. Participants wore a rucksack weighing 50-pounds and hiking 33 kilometres from Base Borden to the Skydive Centre. They ended the event with a skydive from 14,000 feet.

Ruck and Dive event organizer Shawn Brennan (right) and several others walked 33 kilometres from Base Borden in Angus, Ont. Photo Courtesy of Shawn Brennan.

Shawn Brennan, event organizer saw the impacts of work-induced trauma through his father who served with Peterborough Fire for 32 years. He has also seen friends with similar work conditions suffer from PTSD. He said that they are still human and need help for their hardships like anyone else.

“They are mothers, brothers, fathers and sisters,” he said. “Our mission is to beat the drum and be the mosquito in the tent. At the end of the day, and letting them know there is a voice and additional support.”

Photo Courtesy of Shawn Brennan.

Brennan says that the mental health of workers like firefighters, police officers and armed forces often go back to work as broken men and women without being able to relax and decompress.

“We get exposed to very toxic environments,” he explained. “We are far from decompressing, how many victims have been on Ontario Disability, how much you are compartmentalizing until it starts leaking real bad.”

Brennan pictured with his wife as part of the Wounded Warriors Project. Photo Courtesy of Shawn Brennan.

Roughly $4,000 of raffle items were purchased as giveaways for donors and participants purchased by Brennan. Prizes such as electronics, gift certificates and prepaid credit cards were up for grabs to provide additional incentives for people to participate.

“When individuals are willing to put themselves in that environment to the benefit to us, or it’s dealing with responder issues,” said Brennan. “For people that put their selves on the line, I think we should give back.”

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Peterborough Humane Society Honours Animals Wartime Contributions with Commemorative Pins

New commemorative Animals in War pins, to honour the animals that served alongside soldiers at war, are available at the Peterborough Humane Society leading up to Remembrance Day.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Humane Society.

Funds from the sale of the pin help provide care for animals in need at the Peterborough Humane Society as well as support veterans. From each pin sold, $1 is donated to Royal Canadian Legion branches across Ontario to support veterans.

"At the Peterborough Humane Society, we believe it's important to recognize the wartime contributions of animals,” said Emily Craigen, communications and development coordinator, PHS. “The Animals in War pins are a complement to the poppy and honour all the animals who have served alongside our veterans."

The Ontario SPCA releases a new commemorative Animals in War collectible pin each year. This year a cat was chosen to represent the sacrifice made by animals who served, and continue to serve, alongside Canada’s veterans.

"Many people may not realize that cats served as companions and kept ships free of vermin. In addition to the contributions of cats, mules carried artillery, horses transported troops and hauled field guns, pigeons delivered crucial messages and dogs have served as messengers, medical assistants, bomb detectors and search and rescue workers,” said Craigen.

The first Animals in War pin was launched in 2017 and the collection includes a horse, a dog, a limited-edition pin in honour of the women who have served in Canada’s military, a pigeon, and now a cat

To purchase a pin visit Peterborough Humane Society’s current shelter at 385 Lansdowne Street East or call (705) 745-4722 for more information.

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Canadian Women 4 Women in Afghanistan and Red Pashmina Inc. to Host Fundraiser Saturday

The Peterborough chapter of Canadian Women 4 Women in Afghanistan (CW4WAfghan) and Red Pashmina Inc. will be hosting a fundraiser at the Silver Bean Café to benefit educational programs for women in Afghanistan.

Members of the Peterborough Chapter of CW4WAfghan Janet HonsBerger, Joanne Rowland and Janice Ephgrave.

The groups will be selling red pashminas, handmade crafts from Afghanistan, used books and other accessories from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Money raised at Saturday’s events will go to the national Canadian Women 4 Women group, which supports educational programs for women and girls in Afghanistan.

“Now more than ever this is important, because of the situation in Afghanistan, the Taliban is restricting the education of girls.” said Melodie Mcullough, CW4WAfghan. “ It also gives hope to the women of Afghanistan to know that other women around the world are thinking of them and trying to support them at this time.”

Currently, the Taliban has banned girls from pursuing education beyond primary school in Afghanistan.

The CW4WAfghanistan are now focused on adapting and continuing to deliver educational programs where possible while campaigning for the human rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.

In the past they have funded projects like Gender Equality in Teacher Training, which alleviates the chronic shortage of qualified female teachers and Afghanistan Reads! which offers literacy classes to women and out-of school girls.

Red Pashmina Inc is a grassroots initiative based in Peterborough that started in 2010. They have red pashmina’s for sale year round at Hi Ho Silver and at the New Canadians Centre. Money raised gets donated to CW4WAfghanistan.

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