Community Living Trent Highlands and Kawartha Food Share Receive $5,000 Each From Inaugural Mayoral Golf Tournament Fundraiser

As a result of the fundraising efforts of the inaugural Peterborough Mayoral Invitational Charity Golf Tournament, $5,000 each was donated to Community Living Trent Highlands (CLTH) and Kawartha Food Share (KFS).

(From left to right) Blake Ulrich, Kawartha Golf Club head golf professional; Tracey Switzer, CLTH director; Mayor Jeff Leal; Ashlee Aitken, KFS general manager and Nigel Lister, regional manager of Market Deelopment of Cambium INc. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The event took place on Sept. 9 at Kawartha Golf Club and was originally announced by Mayor Jeff Leal on Aug. 13.

“I want to sincerely thank all the participants and sponsors who so generously supported these two important causes in our community,” he said. “Special thanks to Nigel Lister for organizing the tournament and to Blake Ulrich, Jamie Carter and all the staff at Kawartha Golf Club for their hard work to make the event run smoothly.”

The tournament drew 80 golfers that saw community members, local businesses, and city leaders for a day of friendly competition and fundraising.

“We are so appreciative of Mayor Leal selecting KFS as one of the recipients of the Inaugural Peterborough Mayoral Invitational,” said Ashlee Aitken, KFS general manager. “Food Insecurity is unfortunately on the rise in Peterborough and County and this financial support will allow us to supply our 37 member agencies with much needed food items to assist in feeding nearly 14,000 individuals. Thank you to all who participated in making this a fun day for two fantastic causes.”

“We are so pleased to have been chosen and to have a role on such a tremendous day,” Teresa Jordan, CLTF executive director “Despite the rain, everyone was in high spirits, generous and interested. The personal connection that Mayor Leal has with Community Living helped to shine a light on what we aim to do each day in people's lives. It was a wonderful event, and we are so grateful for the support.”

Leal says he plans to run the event again next year.

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50/50 Cash Raffle to Support Four Peterborough-area Community Groups

Profits from the Lakefield & District Lions Club’s “Collaboration 50/50 Cash Raffle” will be divided evenly between Kawartha Food Share, PRHC Foundation, Community Care Peterborough and the Lions Club.

LAKEFIELD & DISTRICT LIONS CLUB "COLLABORATION 50/50 CASH RAFFLE” POSTER

“Fundraising is always challenging, but the people of Peterborough have been very generous in helping us provide our services throughout the region,” Kawartha Food Share General Manager Ashlee Aitken said.

Lesley Heighway, President & CEO of the PRHC Foundation extended gratitude to the Lakefield & District Lions Club for organizing the fundraiser.

“Yours is a powerful example of how we all can make a real difference, close to home,” she said. “Community-led fundraisers are essential to local charities.”

Heighway states the funds will empower world-class care at PRHC by fueling innovation and bringing new services to the region.

“They’ll also support solutions to critical hospital challenges, including helping PRHC attract the best and brightest healthcare experts,” she added.

“Our mission is to support the health and wellbeing of individuals, caregivers and communities,” Danielle Belair, CEO of Community Care Peterborough said. “Our programs and services allow people across the City and County of Peterborough to maintain their independence and dignity.”

Belair goes onto say Community Care Peterborough’s programs impacted more than 6,000 seniors and adults with disabilities in 2023.

“The Lakefield & District Lions Club has been around since 1946 and we are giving back to our community through the generosity of supporters,” added club president Don Parsons.

The winning ticket will be selected on Nov. 15.

Tickets are on sale at lakefieldlions5050.ca.

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100 Women Peterborough Raises More Than $10,000 for Hearts 4 Joy

On Sept. 17, 100 Women Peterborough gathered at Fleming College to support individuals with intellectual exceptionalities (21+).

Photo by 100 women peterborough.

The event, hosted by the Advancement and Alumni Relations Office, benefited Hearts 4 Joy, a group that has been advocating for and enhancing the lives of young adults with Down Syndrome, Autism, or Learning Disabilities since 2020.

The initiative began in the backyard of one of Hearts 4 Joy’s co-founders and current board member, Norma Christensen.

“We are proud to nurture the talents of individuals with Down Syndrome, Autism, and Learning Disabilities,” said Christensen. “With the generous support from 100 Women Peterborough, we hope to purchase a new kiln and expand our product line.”

“I am incredibly proud of our group for donating over $10,000 to this remarkable organization,” said Rosalea Terry, a founding member of 100 Women Peterborough. “It’s a testament to the power of collective giving and the impact we can have when we come together.”

Hearts 4 Joy has seen its program membership expand to include 14 artists with intellectual exceptionalities, who have found a dedicated space to create and sell their work in the Charlotte Mews, called the Hearts 4 Joy Artisan Shoppe.

“We are overjoyed and thankful for this support,” said Debbie Quinlan, Hearts 4 Joy co-founder. “These funds will help us hire a web designer to create, launch, and maintain our first Hearts 4 Joy website, showcasing our unique products, raising awareness for upcoming events, and facilitating monthly donations.”

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8th Annual Fire Truck Pull for Dementia Recognizes World Alzheimer's Day

Teams flexed their collective muscles in a test of strength and teamwork to pull a fire truck for a good cause.

Nine teams of 10-12 ‘pullers’ hit the AON Citi Centre on Aylmer Street on Friday to compete to see who can pull a 44,000-pound fire truck across a 100-foot pull zone the fastest.

Teams included the Dementia Defenders, AON 1 and 2, Day Service and Minds in Motion, Ptbo Axe Club, CIBC Private Wealth, SGS 1 and 2 and Trent Rowing.

Team SGS1 ended up taking home the title of fastest pullers with a time of 19.85 seconds.

All proceeds raised supported local programs and services at the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, and Haliburton.

Local strongman Kevin Fast was in attendance and pulled a truck by himself.

Fast also offered up some advice for teams that attempted to pull the truck as well.

According to a media release on Monday morning, $9,000 and counting was raised from the event.

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Inaugural Mayoral Golf Tournament Fundraiser Raises $9,710 For Community Living Trent Highlands and Kawartha Food Share

The inaugural Peterborough Mayoral Invitational Charity Golf Tournament, held at Kawartha Golf Club, raised $9,710 for Community Living Trent Highlands and Kawartha Food Share.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The event took place on Sept. 9 and originally announced on Aug. 13 by Mayor Jeff Leal.

“I want to sincerely thank all the participants and sponsors who so generously supported these two important causes in our community,” said Leal. “Special thanks to Nigel Lister for organizing the tournament and to Blake Ulrich, Jamie Carter and all the staff at Kawartha Golf Club for their hard work to make the event run smoothly.”

The tournament drew 80 golfers and proceeds benefitted Community Living Trent Highlands (CLTH) and Kawartha Food Share (KFS).

“We are so appreciative of Mayor Leal selecting Kawartha Food Share as one of the recipients of the Inaugural Peterborough Mayoral Invitational,”  Ashlee Aitken, KFS general manager. “Food Insecurity is unfortunately on the rise in Peterborough and County, and this financial support will allow us to supply our 37 member agencies with much-needed food items to assist in feeding nearly 14,000 individuals.”

“We are so pleased to have been chosen and to have a role on such a tremendous day,” Teresa Jordan, CLTH executive director. “Despite the rain, everyone was in high spirits, generous and interested. The personal connection that Mayor Leal has with Community Living helped to shine a light on what we aim to do each day in people's lives.”

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Hometown PTBO: Kassie Graham On Her Love For Animals and the Humane Society's New Off-Leash Dog Park

This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with Kassie Graham of the Peterborough Humane Society about her love for animals, the new off-leash dog park and the upcoming 50/50 “Ruff”le fundraiser.

Click the link to purchase 50/50 "Ruff"le tickets.

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Lakefield Animal Welfare Society Getting Its Paws Together For Doggie Dash Fundraiser

The Lakefield Animal Welfare Society will host the Doggie Dash, a dog-walking fundraiser to help animals in need at the Isabel Morris Park in Lakefield this Sunday at noon.

Photo courtesy of LAWS.

According to a press release, dog owners can walk with their canine friends for 1.5 or 2.5 km through Lakefield to help rescue, rehabilitate, and find forever homes for more dogs and cats in the community.

Registration will open at noon and the walk will kick off at 1:00 p.m.

Sarah VDB will play live music, food vendors, local artisans, and small businesses selling their handmade goods after the walk.

Participants are encouraged to register online or on-site at the event, with collected donations of $100 or more.

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United Way Releases Goal to Raise $1.5 Million For 2024 Campaign

With a party atmosphere compared to years past, the Peterborough & District United Way ceremoniously released its 2024 campaign goal to raise $1,500,000 at the Healthy Planet Arena on Wednesday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Nearly 200 people attended the event, where United Way Campaign Cabinet and Board members ushered them in with pom-poms, music and bubbles to launch the 83rd Community Campaign for United Way.

This year’s campaign theme is ‘Building Community.’ The $1.5 million goal was an increase from last year’s target of $1.45 million.

“We set this ambitious goal because the community need for services is greater than ever. Achieving this goal will ensure that vulnerable community members have access to the vital supports our Partner Agencies provide when and where they are need them most.” says CEO Jim Russell.

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Local Realtors Support Sick Kids Foundation Through Third-Annual Lemonade Stand

Local realtors and brothers Dan and Dion Gemmiti took the classic lemonade stand to another level for the third year in a row to raise money for Sick Kids Hospital on Brealey Drive on Friday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The public was invited to the stand to enjoy food, snacks and lemonade while accepting donations for Sick Kids Hospital on a ‘pay what you want’ basis. Photos could also be taken before a large banner hanging on a trailer's side.

Up to roughly 70 people came to the event at a time to support the cause, a significantly higher number than last year’s.

“We are lucky to be in this community and everybody knows Peterborough is one of the most special places on Earth,” explained Dan. “If we can live here, work here and share, that's exactly what we do.”

The brothers have a close family member who has used Sick Kids Hospital’s services but they know several people who have benefitted from it.

“The greatest thing we've been able to do is hear people's Sick Kids stories in this great city,” said Dion. “We're very lucky that people share it and we're very lucky for what that hospital does for our community.”

Dion Gemmiti (left), Taso Hatzianastasiou, owner of Taso's Restaurant and Pizzeria (middle) and Dan Gemmiti (right) sharing ice-cold lemonade and pizza with the hundreds of guests that came in and out of the event. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

New to this year’s stand was wood-fired pizza made by Taso’s, who wanted to jump in on the action.

“I came to the lemonade stand last year and I said, 'Listen, I want to jump in. How can I help?' explained Taso Hatzianastasiou, owner of Taso's Restaurant and Pizzeria. “It was for Sick Kids and I was all on board because have friends and family that gone there and I'll do it gladly for as much as we can.

The brothers aim to continue the lemonade stand annually for as long as possible.

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