Peterborough Petes Celebrating Local Hockey Moms For 14th Annual Pink In The Rink Campaign

The Peterborough Petes 14th-annual Pink in the Rink game celebrates and honours hockey moms afflicted by cancer and will be played on Feb. 4 against the Oshawa Generals announced at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) on Wednesday.

Members of PRHC and the Peterborough Petes players and staff outside the PRHC on a rainy morning. Last year raised $76,952.18 for the Canadian Cancer Society. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The goal for this year’s campaign is $50,000. Proceeds go toward cancer care at (PRHC). Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation president and CEO says that with cancer volumes on the rise, donors are essential to the hospital’s ability to serve more patients, support earlier diagnosis and ensure safer, more effective treatments, close to home.

“The number of patients from Peterborough and the surrounding area who rely on PRHC to support their cancer journey continues to climb,” she said. “It’s events like Pink in the Rink and organizations like the Peterborough Petes – along with the people and businesses who support them –  that fund the tools our experts need to save and improve lives.”

Leading up to the game, the Petes are accepting nominations of local hockey moms to be honoured leading up to and during the game. 

This is a spin on prior years as annual chairs were selected to spearhead the campaign.

“With the honourary chair model that we used to use, it would be a little bit burdensome on those people,” said Burton Lee, Petes executive director of business operations. “They had lives, they were trying to manage day-to-day, probably still dealing with their cancer journey and on top of that, we were saying 'raise a bunch of money for us, would you?'“

The Petes are accepting orders to purchase a name (up to 200) to be printed on one of their Pink in the Rink game-worn jersey for $20. The Petes will unveil a special jersey with the purchased names at a future date.

Fans can also buy a special edition custom Pink in the Rink t-shirt with any name on the back and donate tickets to cancer survivors or volunteers to attend the game. A live auction will take place after the game to bid on game-worn jerseys.

The Pets have raised $900,000 over the past 13 years as they are closing in on their $1 million milestone. 

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Five Counties Children’s Centre Announces Backyard Summer Social For June 24

Five Counties Children’s Centre (FCCC) is hosting its second annual Backyard Summer Social on June 24 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. announced on Tuesday.

In 2021-22, FCCC served and supported 5,588 kids in the region. there is a waiting list of 2,516 children for therapy at Five Counties with an average wait time of 18-24 months. more than 90 per cent are waiting for speech and language therapy as well as occupational therapy. Photo courtesy of FCCC.

The event is in support of FCCC’s speech therapy and occupational therapy programs for children and families in the region. In its inaugural year, the event raised more than $45,000.

“Nothing says season’s greetings better than the gift of the summer season for loved ones on your holiday shopping list,” says Lyn Giles, FCCC director of fund development. “Getting an early-bird ticket to the Backyard Summer Social makes for a great holiday gift. The event is a celebration of the start of summer for guests to enjoy an afternoon of fun-filled activities that lets you be a kid again.”

The adults-only event is considered a ‘backyard picnic for adults’ according to the FCCC. The event is at Five Counties Children’s Centre, located at 872 Dutton Rd. It features food, fun and unique activities, live music, and live auction according to the press release. Guests can ditch their gala attire in favour of comfortable summer wear.

“This is a great opportunity to give your loved one a unique experience, while supporting a great cause,” said Giles. “Speech and occupational therapies make up 90 per cent of our waitlist at Five Counties. The more children we can get off the waiting list and into therapy services, the more opportunities they have to gain independence and enjoy a better quality of life.”

Tickets are available for $125 each and can be purchased online.

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United Way 'Adopt A Crop' to Fund Community Garden Project

United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes (UWCKL) will be launching a new fundraiser on Giving Tuesday (Nov. 29), allowing community members and organizations to ‘Adopt a Crop’ through their community garden.

Photo courtesy of United Way.

Adopt a Crop will provide individuals and organizations with the opportunity to sponsor or “adopt,” a crop at Edwin Binney’s Community Garden, UWCKL’s food security and food literacy project. All proceeds will go towards the community garden.

The project was started in 2019 on unused land on the Crayola Canada property. Over 50,000 pounds of produce have been donated to 20 organizations with food programs and 11 food banks in the last four years, according to UWCKL.

“Running a farm as a non-profit is a major investment of time and resources, we’ve been incredibly fortunate to have corporate and individual donors to help us with our work in tackling local food insecurity,” says Emily Beall, United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes co-executive director. “This season we produced more food than ever before; over $40,000 worth of fresh produce that was donated into our communities across the City of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton. Adopt a Crop is an effort to involve the community more, while also ensuring we have the means to maintain the garden, grow nutrient-rich foods and provide educational opportunities.” 

This fundraiser will be ongoing until all sponsorships are claimed for the 2023 growing season. Sponsorships will be available each year, with sponsors from the previous year receiving the right of first refusal to adopt their crop again.  

There are 25 crops available for adoption. To learn more visit the Adopt a Crop website starting Tuesday.

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Kawartha Youth Orchestra Launches Its RESONATE! Campaign For Music Education Bursaries

The Kawartha Youth Orchestra (KYO) is launching its RESONATE! campaign this Sunday to coincide with Giving Tuesday next week and recognize local philanthropists Ralph and Carol Ingleton announced on Wednesday.

Roughly 100 children are enrolled KYO which operate out of rehearsal space at All Saints’ Church in the City of Peterborough’s downtown core. Photo courtesy of KYO.

The campaign raises bursaries for local children who cannot afford to pay for music education. The goal is to raise $70,000 for bursaries in 2022-23.

The Ingletons are being honoured during a rehearsal after KYO received an undisclosed donation. The senior orchestra rehersal is conducted by KYO artistic director Dr. Alexander Cannon.

“Music is part of our lives and having a youth orchestra in our community is simply wonderful,” said Ralph. “Helping young people with needs to make music is extremely important. I would hope that other musical friends will join in lending a helping hand.”

‘#GivingTuesday’ is a global movement and day of giving to non-profits, that encourages people to do good and unleash their power to transform their community.

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GoFundMe Created To Aid Family In Fatal Hwy. 7 Accident From Tuesday Night

A GoFundMe has been created to cover costs and care for an injured family member after a fatal car crash occurred on Hwy 7, killing four people on Tuesday night.

GoFundMe photo.

The accident involved a pick-up truck and an SUV where the driver of the other vehicle was also killed but is yet to be identified.

Stefphanie, Jon and Riddick MacHart were identified as three of the four people killed in the accident that occurred near the Blue Jay Motel in Otonabee-South Monaghan Township around 5:15 p.m.

Rowghan MacHart, the only survivor, was airlifted to SickKids with an update pending according to Tanya Hart from the GoFundMe page, a family member.

“It is with the heaviest heart that we are writing this…” said Hart on the GoFundMe page. “We are absolutely devastated by the sudden and tragic deaths of Stefphanie, Jon, Riddick on the evening of Nov. 22nd.

One family member was a staff at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School while another was a student. The school’s flag was lowered at half mast according to a notice sent by Rita Russo, director of education:

“Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School is grieving the loss of one of their students and and a staff member after last nights fatal collision on Highway 7.

Debbie Callahan, Principal at TAS had announced this morning that it is with profound sadness that she must share some tragic news regarding last nights serious vehicle collision just east of Peterborough. They have learned that an entire family, the MacHart (Hart & MacDonnell) family, has been deeply impacted by this terrible accident, including the death of a student at our school and both parents, one of whom is also a Thomas A Stewart staff member. Another family member was involved, also a student at our school, and they were airlifted to hospital.

Our school community is shocked and grieving as we struggle to process this difficult news, and we understand that this will have an immediate and significant impact on our students, staff and families. Together, we know you join us in offering our deepest condolences to the MacHart (Hart & MacDonnell) family.

The school has sought the support of the mental health clinicians at our school board, for both students and staff. This news has been shared directly with students this morning, and school board counsellors are available at the school to speak with anyone who needs support. Counsellors will remain available as long as needed. If you feel your child is in need of professional support, please contact us at the school, and we will make the necessary arrangements.

The school has also lowered its flag to half-mast in our grief for the MacHart (Hart & MacDonnell) family.”

Hwy. 7 was closed in both directions around Keene Road and Hwy 28 and reopened Wednesday morning.

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PTBO Strong With Peterborough Petes To Hold "Hockey For Hampers" Food Drive This Saturday

Not-for-profit group PTBO Strong is teaming up with the Peterborough Petes to hold a ‘Hockey for Hampers Food Drive” in support of Kawartha Food Share (KFS) this Saturday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Food hampers will be made up to help the beneficiaries of KFS.

Non-perishable items are being accepted either at Greg’s No Frills on 230 George St. N. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or at the Peterborough Memorial Centre during game night.

Petes mascot Roger and a few players to be announced will be in attendance for the morning at No Frills to help collect any donated goods during the early hours of pickup.

PTBOStrong was formed in 2019 due to the opioid and homelessness crisis facing the City of Peterborough. Photo courtesy of PTBO Strong.

Tim Burke, PTBO Strong co-founder says his group raises critical funds and awareness for treatment around opioid addictions but wants to help the root of the problems.

“Our town has a lot of rough stuff going on,” said Tim Burke, PTBO Strong co-founder. “We have 13 methadone clinics and we don’t have any detox centres, it’s craziness. They’re all lined up.”

The Peterborough Petes play the Ottawa 67s this Saturday as the final leg of three consecutive days of games.

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Peterborough Police Launch 'K9 Calendar' Fundraiser For Peterborough Animal Care Centre

You can hang up 12 months’ worth of dog pictures anywhere in support of the Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) and the Peterborough Animal Care Centre as the Peterborough Police Service has launched their first-ever ‘K9 Calendar’ fundraiser announced on Thursday.

Jamie Hartneett, inspector of operations; Pixie, facility dog and Alice Czitrom, victim services coordinator unveiling the first-ever K9 calendar. Pixie has been with the Peterborough Police Service since January of 2020. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The calendar features photos of the police K9 Unit with police dogs such as PSD Isaac, PSD Gryphon, PSD Mag and their handlers Cons. Bob Cowie and Cons. Dillon Wentworth – along with facility dog Pixie and her handler Alice Czitrom.

The calendar costs $20 with all proceeds going to the PHS’s Peterborough Animal Care Centre. Calendars can be purchased online at their website. Calendar pickups are at the Peterborough Police Station, located at 500 Water St. between 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 

The K9 Calendar has the latest statistics on the work of both K9 Unit and Facility Dog Pixie in Victim Services and a section dedicated to past Police Service Dogs and handlers.

“This project has been in the works since January.  We feel it’s a neat way to connect with our community and share the great work our canine officers and their handlers do each shift.” says Tim Farquharson, Peterborough Police Service acting chief. “It’s also important for us to give back to our community.  As such the proceeds from the sale of the calendars will go to the Peterborough Humane Society’s Animal Care Centre.”

“We are excited to not only have the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre highlighted in the 2023 Calendar but for the funds to also be supporting Our Pet Project capital campaign to build the new Centre.” shared Shawn Morey, PHS executive director.

The Peterborough Animal Care Centre’s construction is scheduled to finish before the end of the year with a soft opening in January. This Centre hosts three programs: a publicly accessible Spay and Neuter Clinic, an Education and Adoption Centre and a cutting-edge Dog Rehabilitation Centre. The Centre also features a community hub, an off-leash dog park, a private event space and a patio.

"A lot of our members are animal lovers,” said Jamie Hartnett, Peterborough Police inspector of operations. “Peterborough Police have always been engaged with the community aspect of it, community policing and this is just another example of why we love our community.”

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Peterborough Fiddler “Irish Millie” Raises Over $2,300 For Terry Fox Foundation

Millie Shadgett, better known by stage name “Irish Millie” uses her fiddling talents to raise $2,343 for the Terry Fox Foundation through ‘Fiddling for Fox’ campaign.

Irish Millie has been nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award for the second year in a row along with her band, The Receivers. Photo courtesy of Irish Millie.

The 15-year-old Lakefield College School (LCS) student began performing for her first live audience about six years ago, at the Peterborough Farmers Market.

It was around this time that she learned about Terry Fox. Having been touched by cancer in her own life, Millie says his story inspired her.

“I thought ‘I don’t have much money to give’ but if I use my fiddling gift to allow people to donate to this amazing cause, then I can raise money through that,” said Millie.

Photo courtesy of Irish Millie.

Photo courtesy of Irish Millie.

After the first successful Fiddling For Fox event, she decided she wanted to do an annual fundraiser for the Terry Fox Foundation.

This year, she ran two fundraising events at the Peterborough Farmers Market and LCS, raising a total of $2,343 for the Terry Fox Foundation.

At the Farmers Market, Millie included a number of local names as special guests in her performance including Washboard Hank and Ty Wilson.

“It was almost like a bunch of little shows in one big day,” recalled Millie.

Wanting to do something different through Fiddling For Fox this year, she wrote “If I Don’t Make It,” a song to honour Terry and his legacy.

“I was really inspired by Terry and his courage and his bravery, and so I wanted to write a song to convey that,” she said. “It was the way that I could show my inspiration from him, through music.”

The original song features a drum beat in the background that represents Terry’s feet as he ran.

“It was a lot of work, and it took a lot of time and effort, but it really was great to have that showcased for Terry Fox,” Millie continued.

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#PetLovePTBO Campaign Launches in Support of the Peterborough Humane Society

PTBOCanada has launched their #PetLovePTBO campaign, selling toques and dog toys in support of the Peterborough Humane Society.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Toques range from $20-$25 and toys are $15. $10 from every toque and toy will go towards the Humane Society and their new Animal Care Centre.

“We’re just about ready to open up the Peterborough Animal Care Centre right here on Technology Drive. It’s going to be absolutely amazing, it’s gone to revolutionize animal welfare right here in Peterborough, and we can’t wait to get things started,” says Shawn Morey, executive director at the Peterborough Humane Society.

The new facility is set to feature larger kennel spaces, larger cat suites, humane education programming, a spay/neuter clinic and a dog rehabilitation centre.

“The support from Kirtus and the folks at PTBOCanada has been amazing, as well as our whole community,” Morey continued. “This is a centre that was built for the community, by the community, and we’re just excited to be bringing it home.”

Apparel in support of the Peterborough Humane Society can be purchased at www.ptbocanada.com/shop until Christmas.

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Hometown PTBO: Former OHL Defenseman Dan Growden Raising Money For His Daughter Diagnosed With Angelman Syndrome

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks to former OHL defenseman Dan Growden about his OHL career, transitioning into speed skating and raising money for his daughter Sawyer. She has been diagnosed with the rare Angelman Syndrome.

To help donate, click here.

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