Carl Oake Rotary Swimathon Raises Over $50,000 For Easter Seals And Rotary Projects

The Rotary Club of Peterborough and Century 21 United have announced that the 36th Annual Carl Oake Rotary Swim has surpassed their $45,000 goal and raised more than $50,000 with this year’s swim, to date, on Monday.

Carl Oake and his daughter Rene. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Donated will be collected until March 18 and benefit Easter Seals and Rotary programs in our community.

On Feb. 25 more than 50 swimmers and volunteers gathered at the YMCA of Central East Ontario to participate in the swim. This was the first in person event since COVID restrictions forced the annual swim to go virtual.

“This is our largest fundraiser of the year,” said Wayne Harding, president of the Rotary Club, at the event.

Harding notes that in the past funds raised from the Carl Oake Rotary Swimathon have been used for projects like Camp Kawartha and a shade shelter in Rotary Park.

Over the years the Carl Oake Swimathon has raised over $1.3 million for Easter Seals and Rotary projects.

While the Feb. 25 event went swimmingly, Carl Oake noted that it was not as big as past years, though he did say it was refreshing to be back in person.

To donate to the Carl Oake Rotary Swimathon click here.

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East City Flower Shop Sunflowers For Ukraine Fundraiser Is Blooming

Since East City Flower Shop began their sunflower fundraiser for Ukraine on Thursday, owner Janet McLeod says she has sold close to 500 flowers.

The sunflower is Ukraine's national flower and has been grown on its central and eastern steppes since the middle of the 18th century. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

When news broke about Russia invading Ukraine on Feb. 24, McLeod knew she wanted to do something to help, she just wasn’t sure what.

As a member of the Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha and an avid fundraiser for multiple charities, when one of her flower suppliers, Bell Floral in Bowmanville, sent an email saying all proceeds from sunflower orders would be donated to the Red Cross McLeod knew what to do.

“I thought ‘this is perfect’ I purchased sunflowers from that supplier and put it out there that we were donating all the proceeds from our sales to Ukrainian Relief,” said McLeod. “It’s taken off from there. I am really humbled by the response of people who have also been looking for a way to help.”

McLeod notes that some people buying sunflowers are of Ukrainian descent and are heartbroken for their country, some are watching the news and don’t know how to help and some just know it’s the right thing to do.

“I had one gentleman come in, give me money and say ‘just pay it foreword, give the flowers to someone who might want them’. It’s so Peterborough.”

Sunflowers at East City Flower Shop are $5 per stem, with all proceeds going to Ukrainian Relief Efforts.

McLeod notes to ensure she has enough flowers, customers should pre-order by calling the shop at (705) 742-1617.

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March Declared "Easter Seals Month" In Celebration Of Peterborough Telethon's 50th Anniversary

Ahead of the 50th Peterborough Easter Seals Telethon, March has been declared “Easter Seals Month” in a virtual media conference held on Thursday morning.

Kevin Collins, Easter Seals president and CEO on the virtual meeting telling his experiences of having cerebral palsy and using a walker to navigate. Screenshot.

The declaration was made by Coun. and deputy mayor Kemi Akapo shortly after the meeting had opened.

The Telethon will be broadcasted on April 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 a.m. on YourTV and Global News but the campaign is currently seeking donations with a goal of $80,000.

They can be made online, phoning in on the Telethon or by emailing Coralie Jacobs, Easter Seals manager of development at cjacobs@easterseals.org.

The raised funds from the telethon provide financial assistance for communication devices, mobility equipment and summer camp opportunities for youth with physical disabilities.

Easter Seals will virtually announce their goal on Thursday and check in with past ambassadors and local notables.

Guests include Akapo; Kevin Collins, Easter Seals president and CEO; Stu Harrison; Graham Hart; Mike Melnik; Teresa Kazsuba; Catherine Hanrahan and Caley Bedore.

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Local Country Star's Sixth Annual Charity Golf Tournament For Youth Mental Health a Go

Country star Tebey is back with his sixth annual Tebey Golf Classic in support of youth mental health announced on Tuesday.

Last year’s event was on June 24 at the Black Diamond Golf Club. Photo courtesy of Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation.

Over $125,000 has been raised over the past five years towards youth mental health that includes: 

• Covid-19 Response Drop In Centre - YES Youth Emergency Shelter for Youth and Families

• YES Homelessness Prevention Program partnership with Peterborough Youth *Services and YES Year one and Year two Funding

• 211 Awareness Campaign – Peterborough Youth Services and YES Shelter

• Ongoing education for Mental Health Clinicians of the Peterborough Family Health Team to support free patient mindfulness programming

Funds raised through the event will go towards Youth Mental Health programming through Peterborough Youth Services and YES Shelter For Youth and Families.

“It’s going to be great to be back this year raising money for Peterborough Youth Services and the YES Shelter,” said Tebey. “They have provided so much support to those struggling and have had a huge impact on the lives of youth and families in the Peterborough area.”

The tournament is scheduled for June 2 at Wildfire Golf & Country Club with a shotgun tee-off at 1 p.m. An outdoor acoustic performance will happen at 7 p.m.

Foursome tickets are available on Eventbrite for $1,000 where a $200 tax receipt will be provided to each group. The tournament includes a meet-and-greet with Tebey, acoustic performance from him and special guests (to be announced), activities, contests, meals, prizes and professional photos of your group.

“All of us at PYS (Peterborough Youth Services) are so grateful to the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation and Tebey for their joint fundraising efforts to improve youth mental health, said Heather Holland, PYS executive director. “Community donations are integral to expanding our reach and impact as an agency and every dollar will be directed to reducing wait times and providing more timely access to service.”

“What we are seeing at the tail end of the pandemic is young people and families left with fewer community supports and available housing options more than ever,” Aimeé Le Lagadec, YES Shelter executive director. “Participating in the Tebey Golf Classic is an incredible and fun way to help YES continue helping young people and families in Peterborough out of homelessness."

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Easter Seals Hits Two Milestones For Upcoming Telethon

On their 100th anniversary, the 50th Easter Seals Telethon kicks off its fundraising campaign to provide support for children and youth with physical disabilities beginning Thursday.

Easter Seals Telethon hosts from 2019. Photo courtesy of Easter Seals Peterborough.

The Telethon will be broadcasted on April 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 a.m. on YourTV and Global News but the campaign is currently seeking donations.

Easter Seals will virtually announce their goal on Thursday and check in with past ambassadors and local notables. Guests include Deputy Mayor Kemi Akapo; Kevin Collins, Easter Seals CEO; Stu Harrison; Graham Hart; Mike Melnik; Teresa Kazsuba; Catherine Hanrahan and Caley Bedore.

The raised funds provide financial assistance for mobility equipment, communication devices and summer camp opportunities for youth with physical disabilities.

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Annual YWCA Empty Bowls Event Raised $31,427

A grand total of $31,427 was raised in support of YWCA Nourish Food Programs at the 18 th annual YWCA Empty Bowls event held at The Venue on Feb. 26.

YWCA Empty Bowls fundraiser 2021. Photo courtesy of YWCA.

Ticket holders at this year’s event received a handcrafted ceramic or wooden bowl and a restaurant coupon card, featuring discounts from 12 participating local restaurants.

“Our hearts are so full,” said YWCA Executive Director Kim Dolan. “When I pause to think about all the people and all the time that goes into making this event possible year after year, I’m overwhelmed by the good in our community. Thank you to everyone who carved, created, sponsored, donated, attended, or lent a hand in order to help folks experiencing food insecurity. Your support of Nourish means so much to the hundreds of people in our community who access our healthy food workshops, advocacy training, community gardens, and food boxes every month.”

Those interested in learning more about the event, or the YWCA’s upcoming Virtual Challenge taking place this May in celebration of Mother’s Day, are encouraged to contact Ria Nicholson at 705-743-3526 x113 or rnicholson@ywcapeterborough.org.

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Kawartha Food Share Receives Over $19,000 From 2021 Free Holiday Parking Initiative

A total of $14,265.57 was raised for Kawartha Food Share in December 2021 by generous Peterborough residents. While parking was free downtown from Nov. 26 to Dec. 31, some opted to still put money in the meter - which was then donated.

Photo by Angela O’Grady.

The initiative was generously sponsored by Wolfe Personal Injury Lawyers - who contributed an additional $5,000 to the Kawartha Food Share, bringing the total raised to $19, 265.57. Wolfe has also committed to support 2 Hour Free Holiday Parking over the next two years.

“Wolfe Personal Injury Lawyers was proud to be part of this partnership with the City of Peterborough. We appreciate the support and generosity of shoppers and residents making voluntary donations during the holiday season,” said Bill Wolfe, Wolfe Personal Injury Lawyers. “ As an active part of this community, we are equally excited to contribute an additional $5,000 to the total. These funds, through the support of Kawartha Food Share, will help to put food on the tables for people throughout the community.”

The buying power of the Kawartha Food Share enables food purchases at approximately six times the contribution amount, bringing the combined contribution of $19,265.57 to over $115,000 of food to support the local need across the City and County of Peterborough.

“We are so thankful for the continued support of the City of Peterborough and the local shoppers for donating to Kawartha Food Share each and every December,” said Ashlee Aitken, general manager of Kawartha Food Share. “This donation will help us restock our shelves for the busy winter season.”

Kawartha Food Share currently assists more than 9,000 people every month through its 36 member agencies. It supports four meal programs, seven city food banks, six housing projects, seven county food banks, and over 20 food cupboards across the City and County of Peterborough.

The Kawartha Food Share warehouse distributed over $8,468,596 dollars' worth of food and emergency care needs in 2021.

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Fundraisers Make A Splash At 36th Annual Carl Oake Rotary Swim

Participants in the 36th annual Carl Oake Rotary Swim made a splash at the YMCA on Friday morning.

Former Easter Seals ambassador Mitchell McColl and Renee Oake at Friday’s swim. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Carl Oake started this event 36 years ago. He says he was inspired by the work the Easter Seals did because of his relatives. His mother’s twin sister contracted polio in the 1950s while a cousin of his was born with spina bifida - both physically debilitating diseases.

The donations gathered by the annual swim go to the Easter Seals - an organization that helps children, youth and young adults with physical disabilities. They also go to The Rotary Club of Peterborough.

As Oake chatted with friends and reporters at the swim, he dropped everything when Mitchell McColl came onto the pool deck.

McColl was the Easter Seals ambassador in 2012, and has attended the Carl Oake Swim every year since.

“That’s why we do it,” Oake said, gesturing to McColl.

T-shirts worn by participants feature a photo of Oake and McColl from the 2012 swim.

McColl and Oake on the pool deck. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

Presented by Baker Tilly, to date this event has fundraised $1.32 million for Easter Seals and Rotary Projects in the area.

“This is our largest fundraiser of the year,” said Wayne Harding, president of the Rotary Club. “With the $1.32 million we’ve done lot’s of great projects around the community over the years. We founded Camp Kawartha, we recently built a shade shelter in Rotary Park - if you walk around the community you’ll see lots of Rotary plaques.”

The Carl Oake Rotary Swim fundraising page will remain open to donations until March 11. To help them reach their goal of $45,000, click here.

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Registration For Peterborough's 2022 Virtual Butterfly Run Now Open

The annual Peterborough Butterfly Run will move forward as a virtual event again for 2022.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Butterfly Run.

“The Peterborough Butterfly Run has created a safe space for the loss community and we are grateful to those who continue to support us,” said Vince Bierworth, Executive Director, GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation. “We are hopeful that this year’s run will help us raise the much needed funds to continue to support the projects executed over the past 6 years. As we have borne witness to over the past 2 years of the pandemic, it is critical to address the isolation individuals that have experienced the loss of a pregnancy, the loss of a child or the inability to conceive can experience. Our hope is that this year’s virtual format will allow those previously unable to attend to be a part of this collective experience.”

Funds raised at the Butterfly Run have been used to provide ongoing specialized education in Perinatal Bereavement Care to healthcare providers across Peterborough City and County, establish more than 10 lending libraries for individuals and their families located across Peterborough City and County, as well as the development of bereavement kits for families and individuals who experience early and later pregnancy loss and infant loss.

The format for the event will be an official opening ceremony on the Peterborough Butterfly Run Facebook page on April 24 at 12 p.m., with a guest speaker, virtual banner and a moment of silence.

The run/walk can be completed on the route of participants choice any time between April 24 – May 1, with an option to walk or run 5km, or more or less if desired.

A virtual Closing Ceremony for all registered participants will then take place on May 1 at 12 p.m. to recognize the biggest fundraisers and award fundraising prizes.

Registration is available for $40 online at peterboroughbutterflyrun.itsyourrace.com or email ptbobutterflyrun@gmail.com.

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Peterborough Woman Cycling From France To Belgium With Wounded Warriors Canada

Miranda Zeppieri, a Peterborough local, will be participating in the 100 Days to Victory Battlefield Bike Ride with Wounded Warriors, cycling from France to Belgium in June.

Photo courtesy of Miranda Zeppieri.

Wounded Warriors Canada provides a range of clinically facilitated mental health programs specifically developed to support the unique needs of Veterans, First Responders and their families. Zeppieri has been a supporting the cause since 2016.

Being a military partner, a step-mom to two military daughters, and having multiple extended family members in the military, Wounded Warriors is an organization close to Zeppieri’s heart.

“It’s one of those things I quickly became very passionate about,” she said. “I became passionate about cycling about eight years ago, then found out about the Wounded Warriors highway of Heroes ride and I became involved in that. It was amazing and I was able to give back to the military community. I’ve done that ride every year since 2016.”

Wounded Warriors has since retired the Highway of Heroes ride, now Zeppieri participates in their mental health ride which is 220 km long.

From June 13 - 17, Zeppieri, with a group of 100, will cycle from Arras, France to Mons, Belgium - the route the Canadian Corps trekked during the last 100 days of World War One. The Battlefield Ride will be Zeppieri’s longest ride yet, at over 400 km.

“My big ‘why’ as to why I’m riding is that this is my chance to give back and to make a difference within the military community,” said Zeppieri. “I’m doing it as a challenge to myself and I’m also advocating as an individual with two rare medical-complex disorders. I ride to show other people that you can do things even if you have challenges.”

Zeppieri has lived with epilepsy her whole life and also lives with PTSD and anxiety. She says that cycling acts as therapy for her.

In addition to being able to give back to the military community, Zeppieri is also looking forward to seeing the name of her Great-Uncle, who fought in France during WWI, on the wall at Vimy Ridge and paying her respects.

Lauralee Mills and Miranda Zeppieri. Photo courtesy of Miranda Zeppieri.

Each participant in the 100 Days to Victory Battlefielrd Bike Ride must raise $4,000 in order to participate for a total fundraising goal of $400,000 between all participants.

While honouring Canadian soldiers’ service and sacrifice during WWI, the money raised will help support the mental health programs offered by Wounded Warriors Canada.

Zeppieri will be riding with her friend Lauralee Mills and they are fundraising both individually and as Team Zip and Mills.

To donate to Zeppieri’s ride, click here.

To donate to Team Zip and Mills, click here.

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