Hospice Peterborough's Biggest Fundraiser Hike For Hospice Hits Millennium Park Sept. 28

Hospice Peterborough’s biggest fundraising event returns as the Hike for Hospice is scheduled at Millennium Park for Sept. 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Participant Kyle McConnell and team Notorious T.A.S.H. walk in memory of Tash McConnell at Hike for Hospice 2024. Kyle plans to participate again this year. Photo by Anne Leavens, courtesy of Hospice Peterborough.

Individuals or teams can raise money to support free palliative care, grief support, and other programs and services provided by Hospice Peterborough.

Participants will walk from Millennium Park to Beavermead Beach — with the option to turn around at Rogers Cove for a shorter route — while Hike for Hospice also serves as an opportunity to honour and remember loved ones who have passed away, uniting the community in grief, memory and reflection.

This year, Hospice Peterborough’s goal is to raise $100,000. Last year, they achieved a record-breaking success of $138,000.

Participant Kyle McConnell is hiking with friends and family in memory of his late wife Tash McConnell. Tash was a past employee and volunteer at Hospice Peterborough, where she spent her final moments in care.

“(It) seemed like the best way to honour her memory,” said McConnell.

Those participating can register online.

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Local Realtors Fourth Annual Lemonade Stand Juices Out Proceeds For Sick Kids Foundation

For the fourth consecutive year, local realtors and brothers Dan and Dion Gemmiti utilized the classic concept of a lemonade stand to raise money for SickKids Foundation at the Westdale United Church on Friday morning.

The Gemmiti and Hatzianastasiou families coming together for the lemonade stand. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Hundreds of people lined up to enjoy pizza from Taso’s Restaurant & Pizzeria, homemade chocolate chip cookies (made by Dan and Dion) and lemonade. The stand accepted donations for SickKids Foundation on a ‘pay what you want’ basis. Photos could also be taken in front of a large banner hanging on the side of a trailer.

The community came out in strong numbers, as this year’s turnout was significantly larger than in years prior, according to the brothers.

“Our community is the greatest,” said Dion. “The support they gave us was unbelievable, and we're just so grateful that people come out and support such a great cause like SickKids.”

“It's not just today, it's weeks before this,” explained Dan. “My Grade 1 teacher sent money to us just to support our lemonade stand. People are so enthralled with giving to SickKids, it's incredible. People are amazing.”

Guests show up and tell both brothers about their experiences and stories with SickKids that are inspirational and feel-good stories said Dan and Dion.

“We have so many people who are affected by issues that they need to go to SickKids and we hear so many great stories going to SickKids and how incredible this place is,” explained Dion. “It's helping our most vulnerable, our youth, which is wonderful.”

“It's year after year when people come and tell us a story,” said Dan. “Last year it happened and this year it happened, where we both got the tears in our eyes because people told us a story. My heart is breaking listening to it but it's SickKids, they save their kids' lives and then they're very generous with their donation.”

All photos by David Tuan Bui.

The brothers aim to continue the lemonade stand annually for as long as possible. Last year, they raised $5,295 for SickKids Foundation.

Donations can also be made by sending e-transfers to dananddionlemonade@gmail.com until Tuesday.

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Inaugural Charity Motorcycle BBQ Set for Sept. 1 For SickKids and Rett Syndrome

As a fundraiser for the SickKids Foundation for Rett Syndrome, the inaugural Charity Motorcycle BBQ is being hosted at Taso’s Restaurant & Pizzeria on Sept. 1.

Photo courtesy of Taso’s Restaurant and Pizzeria.

The event, hosted by Taso’s Restaurant and 88Moto Motorcycle Shop, takes place from noon to 5 p.m. Overflow parking is available at Bailey’s Bay and Coffee Time nearby.

The fundraiser features a barbecue by Taso’s Restaurant, a motorcycle showcase, an autograph session with Canadian Superbike (CSBK) riders, live music (acts to be announced) and more.

Dyno runs are available for $50, which includes three runs that provide information on horsepower, torque, air-fuel mixture and more, allowing for a diagnostic of a motorcycle’s performance.

Taso’s Pizzeria owner Taso Hatzianastasiou wanted to host the inaugural event as a way to combine his love of motorcycles and his business for a good cause.

“I’ve always done a charitable event through the restaurant and I’ve tried to do something different every year,” he explained. “Since I’m involved so much in the racing community, I thought I would combine the racing and the restaurant.”

While Hatzianastasiou has not been directly affected by Rett Syndrome, he knows many within the community who are.

“There are a lot of friends of mine who have children with Rett Syndrome but not me,” he said. “I want to do it for them.”

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Fourth Annual Gary Dalliday Memorial Golf Tournament Raises $20,000 For Meals On Wheels Program

The 4th Annual Gary Dalliday Memorial Caring for Our Communities Golf Tournament saw 100 golfers hit the links and raised a record-setting $20,000 in support of Community Care Peterborough’s (CCP) Meals on Wheels programs at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club on Monday.

Photo courtesy of Community Care Peterborough.

The program encompasses Peterborough, Chemung/Ennismore, Buckhorn and Curve Lake First Nation. Proceeds help offset the cost of meals, provide subsidies for clients who are unable to pay, and support the delivery of meals to seniors and adults living with disabilities.

The tournament was held on the seventh anniversary of Gary’s funeral. It brought together family, friends and community members to honour his legacy. Daliday volunteered with Meals on Wheels during his lifetime and his grandson Nicholas Bozec also was a volunteer, occasionally seeing both make deliveries together.

Bozec inspired the event to honour his grandfather’s legacy.

“He was a very salt-of-the-earth type of guy and really resonated with people from all walks of life,” said Tim Dalliday, Gary’s son. “To be able to have seniors stay in their homes and to have meals delivered at an affordable price was very important to him. So this cause was near and dear to him. He would have been very proud of what we’ve done and the money we’ve raised.”

“This tournament is a beautiful reminder that Gary continues to care for our community, years after his passing,” said Chris LeBlanc, CCP director of donor and PR. “His life inspired countless people, and that inspiration is still making a difference today for clients who depend on Meals on Wheels.”

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Rotary Club of Peterborough and Riverview Park and Zoo’s Launch New Accessible Playground Fundraising Campaign to Raise $1.5 Million

The Rotary Club of Peterborough and the Riverview Park and Zoo have teamed up for Project ROAR, a $1.5 million fundraising campaign for an accessible playground, announced on Thursday morning.

Photo courtesy of the Rotary Club of Peterborough.

The Project Roar Committee unveiled its plans for a completely redesigned Rotary Accessible Playground at Riverview Park and Zoo to allow anyone of all abilities and all ages to enjoy the space.

Upgrades include widened pathways between play areas for people using strollers and mobility devices, new surfaces throughout the playground to make getting around easier, relaxing shady spaces with great sight lines to make it more comfortable for visitors and their caregivers.

Rotarian Betty Halman-Plumley was the president of the Rotary Club during the 2023-2024 term. During that time, the Club conducted extensive community outreach and local needs assessments in the lead up to deciding on the club’s next big Legacy Project said Halman-Plumley.

“Rotary is thrilled to take the lead in making this playground accessible because we believe everyone and every child deserves a place to play, learn, and grow – regardless of ability,” she said. “This project reflects our commitment to inclusion, community service, and building spaces where everyone feels welcome. Together with the Riverview Park & Zoo we are building more than just a play space – we’re building a stronger, more inclusive community for families to thrive.”

Cathy Mitchell, Riverview Park and Zoo CEO, first presented the concept for this project to the Rotary Club in 2024.

“We are thrilled to work with the energy and magnetism of the Rotary Club of Peterborough through their Legacy Project to bring these remarkable plans off the shelf and to fruition,” she said. “Established in 2018 through community consultation, these engineered playground plans were created to address the diverse needs of our community, bringing all ages and all abilities together for outdoor recreation and play. Thanks to Rotary and this Legacy commitment, we are able to move forward, remove barriers, and make it happen.”

The event paid tribute to the late Rotarian Ross Dobbin who founded the Riverview Park and Zoo in 1933. Some of his family members were present to honour his name on his behalf.

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Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes Hosting BBQ Fundraiser For Aug. 23

Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) is hosting a BBQ fundraiser to aid their causes at their site on Aug. 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The event is located at 385 Lansdowne St. E. It has food, sweet treats, games, live music and a plant and vegetable sale. Cost for food and drinks will be on a sliding scale starting from 50 cents.

A rainout date has been scheduled for the following day on Aug. 24.

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Second Annual Mayoral Golf Tournament Fundraiser Announced to Benefit PRHC Foundation

Mayor Jeff Leal is back on the links as he invites the public to join his second annual Peterborough Mayoral Invitational Charity Golf Tournament on Sept. 8 at Kawartha Golf Club, announced on Thursday morning.

(left to right) Nigel Lister, Regional Manager, Market Development of Cambium Inc; Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation president; Blake Ulrich, Head Golf Professional at Kawartha Golf Club and CEO and Jeff Leal, Peterborough Mayor. Leal is displaying his putting prowess in a demonstration at his press conference. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The announcement was made at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC), where its Foundation is this year’s recipient of the proceeds.

“I was faced with a cancer diagnosis two years ago but I’m cancer-free today because of the swift and effective care I received right here in our community,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “We must ensure that PRHC has all the resources they need to continue to provide the best quality care for the residents of our City and Region. That’s why I have chosen to support the PRHC Foundation’s Campaign for PRHC, with the proceeds of the second annual Mayoral Invitational Charity Golf Tournament helping to reimagine healthcare in our region.”  

“We’re grateful to Mayor Jeff Leal for supporting the Campaign for PRHC,” said Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation president and CEO. “We recently announced an ambitious expansion of our campaign goal from $60 million to $70 million. It’s a bold step that reflects the growing and urgent healthcare needs in our region. Support from community-driven events like the Mayor’s invitational are vital to helping bring innovative, life-changing care to patients in our region.” 

@ptbo_canada The second annual Peterborough Mayoral Invitational Charity Golf Tournament is on Sept. 8 to support the PRHC Foundation. ##ptbocanada##ptbo##peterborough##journalism##journalist##news##fyp ♬ original sound - PTBOCanada

The day will include a round of golf, lunch and dinner.

Registration and lunch begin at 11 a.m., followed by opening remarks at 12:30 p.m. The shotgun start is at 1 p.m. with dinner to follow at the end of the round.

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PRHC Foundation Unveil $1.5 Million Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit Courtyard to Support Mental Health Patients; Expansion of Campaign Extended to $70 Million

The Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) has unveiled and celebrated the opening of its $1.5 million Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) courtyard to support the hospital’s most vulnerable mental health patients, announced on Wednesday morning.

The hospital also announced the expansion of its $60 million fundraising campaign to $70 million.

From left to right) Jen Taylor, PRHC VP of finance and corporate services; Jennifer Cox, PRHC mental health and addictions director;Dr. Rajasekar Baskar, PRHC Chief of Psychiatry and Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation president and CEO. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“This is a transormative memont for mental health care at PRHC and a wonderful example of how your donations can make a positive difference in the lives of patients, who could be your family, friends or neighbours,” said Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation president and CEO. “This space changes where patients heal, which changes how they heal.”

The courtyard was purely donor-funded and is uncommon in Ontario hospitals and PRHC has been reached out about its idea and functions according to Heighway.

“Some of the work that happens here is truly remarkable and groundbreaking,” she explained. “The team, since announcing this courtyard, has had inquiries from some major hospitals in the Toronto marketplace where their PICU patients don't yet have access to the outside.”

PRHC says the courtyard’s features include:

• Colourful native vegetation to attract butterflies, a natural aid for mindfulness

• Seating areas in different configurations that offer patients solitude when they need it and space to visit with care providers and loved ones

• Open gathering areas for group activities and social connection

• A shaded area to accommodate those who are sensitive to sunlight due to their treatments

• A colourful, tactile recreation surface

The courtyard’s use will occur in the coming days.

“The courtyard is a game-changer, for which we’re incredibly grateful,” said Jennifer Cox, PRHC mental health and addictions director. “Until now, PICU patients had no access to outside, even during stays that could last weeks or months. This secure outdoor treatment space is not only safe and dignified but healing. It allows our patients to engage in mindfulness, movement and connection with others and their environment in ways that improve health, wellness and their quality of care.”

@ptbo_canada The Peterborough Regional Health Centre has unveiled and celebrated the opening of its $1.5 million Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit courtyard to support the hospital’s most vulnerable mental health patients. #ptbocanada #ptbo #peterborough #journalism #journalist #news #fyp ♬ Valse - Evgeny Grinko

During the ceremony, Heighway announced that the original $60 million fundraising campaign — announced in June last year — has been extended to $70 million. PRHC has already raised $55 million and extended it to fund future projects by no later than December of 2027 but could finish in March of the same year.

With the expansion of the fundraising goal comes new projects including a digital command centre that would operate like a triage but in a broader sense, similar to air traffic control for the hospital, according to Heighway.

“It's making sure that the right patient gets the right in the right spot,” she said. “It helps with hospital efficiency, it helps with faster turnaround times for test results, easier access to care so this is the entire digital realm of the hospital all being integrated under one hub, in one physical location.”

Other projects and ideas are in the works but were not disclosed to the public at publication of this article.

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The Rotary Club of Peterborough's Fore the Kids Golf Tournament Scheduled For Sept. 25

The Rotary Club of Peterborough has released the date of its Fore the Kids Golf Tournament fundraiser at the Katchiwano Golf Club on Sept. 25.

Photo courtesy of teh Rotary Club of Peterborough.

Tournament proceeds will help fund Rotary projects and the kids who use the services of the Five Counties Children’s Centre.

Tickets are $150 per person, which includes a round of golf, a cart for convenience, lunch to recharge and compete in hole prizes.

One child supported by the cause is four-year-old Jude, who has cerebral palsy and a global developmental delay. He has been accessing Five Counties programs like physiotherapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy since he was four months old.

“Thank you to everyone who supports this event. It shows the families at Five Counties that they have an entire community behind them, cheering them on.” said Julie Grant, Jude’s mom.

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Little Lakers Night Returns On Last Regular Season Home Game to Support Five Counties

For the third consecutive year, Little Lakers Night returns on the Peterborough Lakers’ last home regular-season game on July 24 in support of Five Counties Children's Centre (FCCC), announced on Tuesday.

Len Powers (left), Scott Pepin (middle) and Kennedy Meredith in front of a Lakers cutout and the warmup jersey designed by Meredith. Last year’s Little Lakers Night netted $15,295 to support children’s treatment services at Five Counties. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

All proceeds from Little Lakers Night will support Five Counties’ Building Abilities for Life campaign. It enables more children and youth in the region to access life-changing treatment services when they need them.

“Each year, Little Lakers Night has grown in impact and excitement, and it’s certainly become a highlight of the summer season for us,” said Scott Pepin, FCCC CEO. “We’re incredibly grateful to the Lakers for their continued generosity and for giving our kids the chance to be part of something so special. It’s more than a game — it’s a celebration of community.”

“It’s an honour to again team up with Five Counties to host Little Lakers Night and support children’s treatment services in our community,” said Len Powers, Peterborough Lakers board chairperson. “We encourage everyone to come out to Little Lakers Night and show their support for the home side – cheering on the Lakers to victory as they prepare for the playoffs, and supporting the incredible work done by Five Counties in the Peterborough region.”

Little Lakers Night starts pre-game festivities at 7 p.m., one hour before the Lakers take on the Brampton Excelsiors. The event features face painting by donation, freezie sales, a ‘pass the bucket’ fundraiser, and the opportunity to purchase commemorative Little Lakers Night T-shirts in support of FCCC.

During the game, a silent auction is being held with prizes such as two tickets to Canada’s Wonderland, a Crayola Prize Pack and VIP passes to the 2025 Swimming World Cup.

The night also spotlights the children and families supported by Five Counties, with several of them in attendance and some participating in special roles such as the ceremonial pre-game ball drop and behind-the-scenes experiences with the team.

The Lakers are wearing a specially designed warm-up jersey created by Kennedy Meredith, St. Paul C.E.S. Grade 4 student. The jerseys will be available for purchase through an online auction with proceeds supporting Five Counties.

Tickets for Little Lakers Night on July 24 are available now through the Memorial Centre box office. The promo code ‘FIVECOUNTIES’ at checkout takes $3 from every ticket sold towards FCCC.

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