‘A Hand Up’ Free Concert at Junction in Support of Community Organizations
/A free concert in support of various community organizations to be put on at the Junction Nightclub on Jan. 22.
photo courtesy of DreamTeam Concerts.
Peterborough Blogs
GoFundMe Created To Help Young Girl Diagnosed With B-Cell Leukemia Days After Fourth Birthday
/It may not be the best present for four-year-old Ellie Bell as she was diagnosed with B-Cell leukemia shortly after her fourth birthday but a GoFundMe was set up to aid the family.
Bell after meeting Santa Clause at Lansdowne Place Mall while she got her face painted. Photo courtesy of Natalie Campbell.
Bell received the diagnosis four days after her fourth birthday (Dec. 12). She was release from the hospital after spending 10 days according to a Facebook post from her mother.
It began as what the family thought was a high fever and Bell was taken to the Peterborough Regional Health Centre. She was eventually taken to SickKids Hospital on the same day for several tests including blood work, x-rays and ultrasounds.
The second day, Bell had to be put on a feeding tube while already on five days with no food or fluids according to the GoFundMe page. It was revealed that she respiratory syncytial virus, urinary tract infection and rhinovirus resulting in a a prescription of heavy antibiotics and receiving a blood transfusion (which gradually helped her condition).
On Bell’s 10th and final day at the hospital — which was her birthday — she received a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy because her cell line numbers were still low as stated in the GoFundMe. She was released from the hospital that day. During that time, Bell’s mother had openly asked friends and family to send videos wishing her a happy birthday.
Bell was readmitted on Thursday for a lumbar puncture and her first round of chemotherapy. I was administrated directly into her spine to prevent the cells from travelling to her spinal fluid and brain. A second round of chemotherapy on the same day.
On Friday, Bell will ‘receive a port line inserted in her chest to prevent two years worth of needle pokes’ according to Natalie Campbell, Bell’s great aunt.
Bell began junior kindergarten however her treatment will take roughly two to three years and is unable to return to class until the following school year. The parents have taken time off work to care for her during the recovery process.
“Our top priority is making sure Ellie has the love and support she needs to stay strong, as well as getting more answers in the coming weeks to further determine her prognosis,” said Campbell.
The GoFundMe was created by Campbell on Thursday that has already seen short of $5,000 of the $10,000 goal.
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3rd Annual Santa's Sleigh Yields Over 900 Gifts For Children and Families
/The Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation (KHCAS) has collected over 900 gifts for children and families in their 33rd annual Santa’s Sleigh program for the holiday season announced on Tuesday.
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 gifts are for those affiliated with the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society.
“So many individuals, workplaces and community groups came together to make sure a gift was purchased for every child on our tree, so they will each have a special gift to open this holiday season,” said Carrie Truman, KHCAS executive director. “I am so thankful for the support and generosity the community has provided for the Santa’s Sleigh program again this year.”
The event was held at Walmart (Chemong Road location) and ran from Nov. 24 to Dec. 5.
Children wrote their gift lists on cards to be hung on a Christmas tree at Walmart. Any customer could grab the card, purchase the gift and donate it in a dropbox.
Money, gift cards and presents not on wish lists are encouraged and accepted for the program as alternate ways to help.
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.
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PVNC Raises Over $56,000 For 2022 United Way Campaign
/Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board has raised $56,757 for the four area United Way organizations during its 2022 board-wide campaign announced on Tuesday.
Students at St. Patrick CES in Peterborough took part in the school's ‘Pumpkin Fest’ fundraiser for the United Way in October. Photo courtesy of PVNC.
PVNC staff gave the money through payroll donations as schools could host special fundraising events such as pumpkin carving contests, soup sales, dress-down days and more.
“Given that we launched this year’s campaign amid a turbulent labour process, and during a time of high inflation and increased household costs, we cannot thank our PVNC Community enough for its generosity this year,” said Galen Eagle, campaign chair. “It’s heartening heading into the Christmas holidays to be able to provide this source of funding to our United Way agencies that support services so integral to the health and well-being of our communities.”
Proceeds will go to Peterborough and District United Way, Northumberland United Way, Durham United Way and City of Kawartha Lakes United Way.
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Ryan Reynolds Sends Encouragement Video To 14-Year-Old Whose Family Died in Highway 7 Crash
/Renowned Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds sent a video of encouragement to 14-year-old Rowghan MacHart who suffered critical injuries and lost her family in a Highway 7 crash in late November.
(from left to right) Johnathan MacDonnell, Rowghan MacHart, Riddick Hart and Stefphanie Hart. The family accident occurred near the Blue Jay Motel in Otonabee-South Monaghan Township. Photo courtesy of Kathryn Wilson.
According to the GoFundMe page run by MacHart’s cousin Tanya Hart, the video was sent to her on Thursday that, ‘brought a smile to her face.’
The update says MacHart has undergone five surgeries in the span of just over three weeks.
“Rowghan is so strong and hasn’t complained once,” said Hart on the GoFundMe page. “She has smiled and made jokes, continuing to amaze the doctors, nurses and everyone that surrounds her.”
On the evening of Nov. 22, Rowghan lost her father Jonathan MacDonnell, mother Stefphanie Hart and brother 18-year-old Riddick Hart (also known as the MacHarts) to a head-on crash with a pickup truck. The truck driver was identified as Jason Schmidt of Hastings who also died as a result of the accident.
Rowghan was airlifted to SickKids hospital after the accident as the only survivor. After her third stomach surgery, doctors fear she may never be able to talk again according to a GoFundMe update.
The GoFundMe was originally created to costs and care for Rowghan. The $10,000 was shattered and over $87,000 was raised. A funeral for the three lost family members has been postponed until Rowghan is well enough to attend.
“We are sorry that we have to delay the services for Stefphanie, Jon and Riddick into the new year,” said Tanya. “However, it is so important that Rowghan be healthy and stable enough to be in attendance, in order to continue to process and grieve her beloved family.”
A second GoFundMe was created on Nov. 23 by Kathryn Wilson to help cover Rowghan’s grandparents’ expenses while they are in Toronto with her. The GoFundMe is paying for the hotel, food costs and planning of three funerals. Roughly just under $9,000 has been raised of the $10,000 goal.
Central Smith Creamery's Second "Fill the Truck" Campaign Donates 14,000 Pounds of Food and Over $10,000 for Kawartha Food Share
/Year two of Central Smith Creamery’s “Fill the Truck” campaign built on its inaugural year, delivering roughly 14,500 pounds of food and $10,030 in cash donations for Kawartha Food Share (KFS) on Friday.
This year’s campaign nearly tripled last year’s food weight and raised more money than last year’s event. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The campaign rallied 38 businesses to collect cash and non-perishable goods as Central Smith drove their delivery trucks and collected the donated items on the same day they were delivered.
The campaign ran from Dec. 1 - 15 and beat the previous year’s goal of 5,000 pounds and $9363.50.
“Just given what's happened with the economy with food prices and all of that, I'm just amazed that we were able to be successful in our campaign,” said Jenn Scates, Central Smith Creamery co-owner. “With the work of my team and everybody contributing, it's not just one person, it's a whole bunch of elves that helped and it's just amazing.”
“It's been difficult for us to stretch our dollars as far as it once did but it's also difficult for our donors to continue to donate as much as they did in the past,” said Ashlee Aitken, KFS general manager. “We know times are tough, we know food costs are extremely high and so to see this many people donate this many items is so heartwarming this time of year and we really appreciate the support.”
The timing for the donations could not have been better for KFS as the demand for food banks goes up during the holiday season according to Aitken. She says Christmas is an added expense that not all families can afford.
“Heat and hydro bills are up, kids are home from school, there's a couple of extra meals they have set them up with there, there's just a lot of added expenses to families that are already struggling and already don't earn enough money for their families,” explained Aitken. “Every little donation goes a long way. Something like this where they're bringing in thousands of pounds of food for us, it really helps us stock the shelves at the food banks before we get into that busy crazy season.”
'Loonies on the Street' Fundraiser Raises Over $160,000 For Kawartha Food Share
/Updated: 2:56 p.m. at Dec. 9, 2022
The 23rd annual Loonies on the Street fundraiser was back to collecting donations in downtown Peterborough raising over $160,000 for Kawartha Food Share on Friday morning.
Photo courtesy of Kawartha Food Share.
The fundraiser has raised over two million dollars to date, allowing them to purchase food items for over 8,500 community members each month.
While the loyal ‘bucket brigade’ were out collecting loose change up and down George St. outside of Peterborough Square, the Lions Club was collecting on the Hunter Street Bridge.
You’ve done it again, Peterborough! $160,000 & counting was raised at our annual #Loonies broadcast this morning!👏
— Kawartha Food Share (@Kaw_FoodShare) December 9, 2022
We are so incredibly appreciative of all the love & support our community has shown.
Ptbo truly is the most generous city in the world!❤️🎅🎄#THANKYOU #ptboproud pic.twitter.com/PkBE17DEP5
Online donations can be made at: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/3-loonies-on-the-street/.
Local Woman Spending the Night Outside; Raising Money Through Homelessness Awareness Initiative
/Wilhelmina Don-Venus will be pitching her tent this Saturday, (International Human Rights Day) spending the night outside in Peterborough and raising money through her ‘Tent-Up To Make Homelessness #UNIGNORABLE’ initiative.
Photo Courtesy of Wilhelmina Don-Venus.
Don-Venus “… hopes to raise both awareness to the cold reality our unsheltered neighbours live during the winter months, and funds to support local homelessness initiatives and support for the almost 300 people in Peterborough who don’t have the basic human right of a safe place to sleep,” she says in a press release.
Beyond raising awareness, she wants her efforts to support the vital services that local, charitable organizations provide to those who are facing winter outside.
“There is a network of agencies who work to provide outreach, cold weather survival gear, counselling and so many integral supports to our neighbours experiencing homelessness and I want to help by raising funds to be invested in these services,” said Don-Venus.
Last year, she met ‘Jessica’ and her dog, ‘Hailey.’ Don-Venus says Jessica has been homeless for over 5 years and will likely face another winter outside.
“Her love and commitment to faithful companion Hailey has precluded her from many temporary and more permanent housing options,” said Don-Venus.
Although some local shelters provide accommodation for pets, she says Jessica had several bad experiences and no longer feels safe.
“While I can’t change the circumstances in Jessica’s life, I feel that it is very important for us all to do what we can, every day to have empathy and compassion for all of our neighbours,” she said.
The United Way Peterborough and District has set up a giving page to help Don-Venus reach her $2,500 goal by Dec. 13.
“We are all born equal in dignity and human rights and taking a moment to share a kind word or offer encouragement to those who are struggling is meaningful, and may be the one thing that keeps them going for another day,” said Don-Venus.
To learn more about ‘Tent-Up To Make Homelessness #UNIGNORABLE’, or to donate, visit the website.
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YWCA and Local Donors Matching Donations For Women and Children During the Holidays
/Double the impact for local women and children this holiday season with the YWCA as they are matching donations up to $88,500 until midnight on Dec. 31.
Photo courtesy of YWCA Peterborough.
On any given night, over 6,000 Canadian women and children sleep in shelters because they aren't safe at home according to the YWCA. The funds raised aid women and children experiencing gender-based violence.
YWCA’s Crossroads Shelter, Haliburton Emergency Rural SafeSpace (HERS) and other support programs receive only partial government funding and are unable to cover basic operating costs without fundraising as stated in a press release. As demand for gender-based violence support continues to grow, the need for funding has reached critical proportions YWCA says.
Supporters are encouraged to register as holiday sponsors or donate gift cards to provide extra support for local moms and kids.
Donations can be made by donating online at ywcapeterborough.org or by phone at 705-743-3526.
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U13 Hockey Team Raises $1,300 For Needing Families on Giving Tuesday
/The U13 Central Ontario AAA Wolves put their generous spirit on display raising nearly $1,350 to purchase gifts on ‘Giving Tuesday’ for needing families for in Peterborough.
Photo courtesy of Chad Birkhof.
“It’s something that we’ve done with other teams we’ve coached,” said Chad Birkhof, Wolves head coach. “For us, it was a bit of a team-building function. Those kids raised that money on their own and they had the opportunity to buy for those families and children. It’s the gift of giving at Christmas.”
