DBIA Partners With Ferrero Chocolates To Give Away Boxes of Premium Chocolates To 4 Local Organizations That Do Vital Community Work

Ferrero Chocolates is looking to give back this holiday season and reached out to Business Improvement Areas across Ontario. The application from Peterborough’s DBIA caught their attention and they offered 84 boxes of their new premium chocolates—Golden Gallery Signature Chocolates.

The DBIA will be giving away boxes of premium chocolates to four local organizations that do vital work in the downtown: One City Peterborough, the Youth Emergency Shelter, Friends Peterborough, and the Aylmer Street Pharmacy.

Jenny Bloom (One City Ptbo), Terry “Mr. Downtown” Guiel (DBIA) & Christian Harvey from One City (Photo courtesy DBIA)

“I was elated that Ferrero would show such great support for BIAs across Ontario with this extremely generous offer,” says Terry Guiel, DBIA Executive Director. “It’s wonderful that we can use that generosity to spread a bit of joy to some in our community that may not feel very included during the holidays.”

“This year has been a struggle for so many Canadians and that’s why it’s more important now than ever before to find ways to support those who need our help,” says Maureen Romansky, Senior Marketing Director, Premium Chocolate, Ferrero Canada. “We’re proud to be able to play a small part in bringing some joy through the gift of chocolate.”

“This chocolate donation is going to raise the spirits of all the young people with us on Christmas morning,” says Brooke Erickson, Y.E.S shelter’s Community Engagement Coordinator. “Because youth in shelter rarely have anyone to buy holiday gifts for them, we asked what they would like, so we can provide something for them to open on Christmas morning. Like most kids, almost all of them asked for candy and chocolate.”

Terry Guiel (DBIA) & Engi Hakim (Aylmer Street Pharmacy), photo courtesy DBIA

The Y.E.S. shelter works to reduce and prevent homelessness by providing shelter, education and transitional supports for youth and families in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. During the delivery of the chocolates to Y.E.S., Guiel will be joined by Atria Development, who will be making a cash donation to the shelter.

“We are so grateful to Ferrero for this gift,” adds Christian Harvey, Executive Director of One City Peterborough, which focuses on housing, food security, community safety and inclusion. “In a year as we have had, where our most marginalized have faced so much, a moment of joy or a little chocolate can mean a lot.”

“Something as simple as giving someone a holiday greeting while handing out a few chocolates during this time can make them feel special and included in our community," adds Pharmacist Engi Hakim of the Aylmer Street Pharmacy, which mainly distributes addiction treatment medications such as methadone and suboxone to the clients.. "For some, this could be the only positive interaction they will experience during the holidays.”

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Watch: Fleming College Holiday Music Video Wonderful World Featuring Greg Keelor & Other Local Artists

Fleming College has released a beautiful holiday music video dedicated to all of the students, staff, frontline workers, and many local heroes who have made an untenable situation a moment of pride and reflection on the power of coming together.

The video is a collaborative project by local artists, dedicating their time and talent and most importantly, their heart. Featuring Greg Keelor of Blue Rodeo and other musicians from the Kawartha region, the song is a cover of the classic song “What A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong. Directed and produced by Michael Hurcomb, other producers include James McKenty, Melissa Payne and Kate Suhr.

Beau Dixon, Melissa Payne and Greg Keelor among the musicians covering “What A Wonderful World”

“These musicians are very special people and our community is blessed to have such passionate talent,” says Maureen Adamson, Fleming College President. “I could not be more proud of how we have led and navigated through the events of this year with safety as our guiding principle.”

Fleming College thanks all those involved in this musical gift for the holidays, including Greg Keelor, Jimmy Bowskill, Beau Dixon, Whitney Hall, James McKenty, Melissa Payne, Kate Suhr and Maureen Adamson. There are also special appearances by: Tania Clerac, Sandra Dupret, Brett Goodwin, Chandra Gupta, Blake Morris, Angela Pind, Linda Poirier, Neil Price, Elizabeth Stone, Drew Van Parys and Scott Walling.

Watch the video below…

Fleming College releases holiday music video #WonderfulWorld in support of students and local communityPeterborough ON - (December 11, 2020) - Fleming Colleg...

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Peterborough Woman Who Started Football Academy In Jordan On The Impact A Pro Team Would Have On This Community She Adores

Where is “home”?

I was born and raised on a small island in Denmark called Fyn. Being part Danish and part Lebanese/Palestinian makes me a dynamic combination of the Western and Middle Eastern world—a combination I spent years trying to understand.

Quite early in my life, I knew I had to experience the world. So after a lot of travelling, I decided to move to Amman, Jordan, in 2015 where I co-founded a football academy with the purpose of helping young boys off the streets and provide a safe, fun and educational environment.

Photo by Mariam El Chiekh Khalil of football Academy she co-founded in Jordan

It is very common to see children play football on the concrete in the Middle East as it can be expensive to register with a football academy. But because football is engraved in the hearts of Arabs from a very young age, children and youngsters will play regardless of their circumstances.  

Photo by Mariam El Chiekh Khalil of football Academy she co-founded in Jordan

After running the football academy for four years and finishing my master’s degree in International Business Communication, I finally moved to Canada. By coincidence I found myself settling in Peterborough, a city that I didn’t know anything about or had ever heard of.

Photo of Mariam El Chiekh Khalil with players at football academy she co-founded in Jordan

Upon arrival in 2019 I thought to myself, will I ever be able to call this place home? Within only few days of living in Peterborough, my fear of not fitting in became completely insignificant. I was met with an extreme openness and kindness.

When I stood in the grocery store trying to figure out which coins to give to the cashier, I would always apologize and explain that I’m still quite new here. The response was always, without exception, “Oh, really. Well, welcome to Peterborough. I hope you’ll like it here.” I felt welcomed, included and within a few months I told my husband, This feels like home.

Mariam El Chiekh Khalil

But I still felt something was missing. I tried to search for a Middle Eastern community where I could mirror myself in people with a similar culture to mine.

Unfortunately, without any luck. I therefore decided to create the group “Arabs in Peterborough” on Facebook, and within no time, the group reached almost 80 members. Several group members expressed how they missed connecting with other Arabs and that they’re excited about what the group can bring to the Arabic community in Peterborough.

Photo by Mariam El Chiekh Khalil in Jordan

As my studies showed, people with another ethnic background become more whole and balanced citizens when they embrace all of their identity. My dream is for everyone to feel included and to feel like they belong, without any exceptions.

Everyone should be able to cultivate and integrate their full identity in their lives in Peterborough. This could be through food, art, music, language, religion, sports or maybe just a little chat over a cup of coffee.

When I heard about the Electric City Football Club forming here, I was immediately drawn to their love for Peterborough and their ambitions for the project. Football is an international passion and I truly envision that this project will bring our community closer together regardless of our backgrounds.

ECFC is not just for football enthusiasts, but also an initiative with pride in its community. Having a local professional football team will bring a tremendous value to the city where we all can come together as one and embrace all the beautiful cultures that we are so lucky to have in Peterborough.

—guest post by Mariam El Chiekh Khalil

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Local Family-Owned Company AON Helps to Support Women and Children in Crisis

A recent $5,000 donation from AON Inc.—a major employer of women in Peterborough—is helping YWCA Peterborough Haliburton address the urgent needs of women and children trapped with abusive men throughout the pandemic.

“AON Inc. is pleased to provide support to the YWCA 2020 Crisis Campaign to help women and children in our community escape violence which has been elevated due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Sarah Joore, AON Inc. Chairperson Charitable Donations. “We understand the increased stress non-profit organizations in our community are facing and hope that our contribution will support the YWCA’s current initiatives to assist those with the greatest needs in our community in the months ahead.”

Photo courtesy YWCA

As the reality of COVID-19 landed in Ontario, reports were released from other countries indicating that demand for violence against women services had as much as tripled following self-isolation. 

YWCA staff anticipate a dramatic increase in the need for shelter and support services as women gain more opportunities to seek help during Stage 3 of the reopening plan—particularly once children return to their regular school routines. 

While funding from Provincial and Federal Governments has helped women’s shelters address a number of unexpected costs associated with COVID-19, annual government funding covers less than 65% of the organization’s operating costs. 

Photo courtesy YWCA

“It is overwhelming to imagine how we’ll meet 3 times the need in the absence of matching financial resources, especially in a context that continues to be uncertain as we move through the rest of this year,” says YWCA Director of Services, Mandy Hamu. “The generosity of supporters like AON Inc. is profoundly appreciated as we continue providing services for those who rely on us.”

HOW THE COMMUNITY CAN HELP FURTHER

Members of the community who wish to add their support for YWCA services like Crossroads Shelter, Transition and Court Support services for women, Nourish food programs and others, are encouraged to visit ywcapeterborough.org or contact the office at 705-743-3526. 

Anyone interested in learning more about corporate partnership opportunities is asked to contact Ria Nicholson directly at 705-743-3526 x128 or via email at rnicholson@ywcapeterborough.org.

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This Will Melt Your Heart: Peterborough Convoy At PRHC Shows All The Love For Frontline Workers

Peterborough Parademics, fire rescue, police and other vehicles formed a powerful convoy during shift change at PRHC hospital on Wednesday (April 1st) as a show of support and solidarity for frontline workers.

Footage we posted on Facebook of the convoy (see below) provided to us by Connor Massimo—whose wife is an ER nurse at PRHC—has gone viral around the world with 120,000+ views so far.

You can also watch it on Twitter here…

Heart melted: All the community ❤️ for frontline workers @PRHC1 at shift change. (vid by Connor Massimo, whose wife is ER nurse there) pic.twitter.com/1TaTok0L3W

— PTBO_CANADA 🇨🇦 (@Ptbo_Canada) April 1, 2020

PRHC also posted their own footage here of the heartwarming moment…

This evening, in an incredible show of support for #PRHC, a convoy of first responders and community members drove around the hospital property honking, waving signs, and setting off lights and sirens. Thank you! pic.twitter.com/AShTyyDmWS

— PRHC (@PRHC1) April 2, 2020

As did Peterborough Police…

Check out the footage on our Instagram channel as well…

View this post on Instagram

Heart melted: All the ❤️ for frontline workers @prhc1 at shift change. (vid by @connor_massimo, whose wife is ER nurse there)

A post shared by ptbo_canada (@ptbo_canada) on Apr 1, 2020 at 4:02pm PDT

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Signs Of Support & Love Pop Up Around Peterborough

While everyone is practicing physical distancing, people are still showing their signs of support for this community on their front windows for everyone to see as they go by…

Support for our frontline workers are appearing in hearts around town.

Peterborough Scanner Feed has teamed up with Signarama and Fully Promoted to sell “Health Care Workers ROCK!!!” for $20 each (there are four different designs to choose from), and $5 from each sale will go into a fund to support our local Medical Staff and First Responders.

As we get closer to Easter, eggs are appearing in windows as a way for families to walk by and “hunt” for houses that are celebrating the occasion.

Oh, and an added vital reminder by our PRHC ICU Angels… “Stay Home”

Pictured is The ICU Team at PRHC.#StayHome #PRHCStrong #InThisTogether

RT to share their message in photo pic.twitter.com/G0hvKx8Ev6

— PTBO_CANADA 🇨🇦 (@Ptbo_Canada) March 28, 2020

Grab your binoculars and your favourite book by Michael Rosen because people are decorating their windows with bears so that neighbourhood children can go on their very own Bear Hunt.

Post your signs in our Facebook page post.

—by Evan Holt, PTBOCanada.com

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Kawartha Food Share In Desperate Need Of Food Donations During COVID-19 Crisis

Kawartha Food Share says many of their clients do not have the means to buy extra food items and are turning to their food banks for support.

“Our numbers are usually higher during the winter, but we’re seeing such an increase this past week,” General Manager Ashlee Aitken tells PTBOCanada. “Plus we’re seeing a decrease in volunteers, so it’s crazy times at the food banks.”

Indeed, the health of both Kawartha Food Share’s clients and volunteers on the front lines is very important to them, and they are encouraging anyone who is feeling ill to stay home and call their warehouse (705-745-5377) if they are in need of emergency food.

Currently, all food banks & meal programs in the city & county remain open, & we can’t thank staff/ volunteers enough for working the front lines during these frightening times.

Due to the rising number of individuals accessing our foodbanks, our shelves are depleting quickly.

— Kawartha Food Share (@Kaw_FoodShare) March 13, 2020

”We are also concerned for parents who rely on their children using our breakfast and nutrition programs at school,” says Kawartha Food Share’s General Manager Ashlee Aitken.

“They now have to access extra food from our services during the extended March break and we expect to see client numbers rise in the next couple weeks because of this.”

Kawartha Food Share is also in need of any and all perishable food donations, such as soup, pasta, pasta sauce, Mac and Cheese, and canned vegetables.

I know this is going to sound pretty simplistic.
Be kind to one another. There are a lot of vulnerable people in our community who aren't in a position to "stock up" at the grocery store. Only buy what you need, and share what you can @Kaw_FoodShare

— Lisa MacDonald (@Lisa_Mac_D) March 13, 2020

Donations can be made at their collection bins located at all local grocery stores, at their warehouse at 665 Neal drive, or online here.

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Take A Drive Around Peterborough In 1987 And Reflect On What's Changed (And What Hasn't)

A neat video shot in 1987—definitely not on an iPhone—shows how much has changed in Peterborough in 32 years… and how much it hasn’t.

Downtown (screengrab via video)

The video was taken on a family trip to Peterborough.

It takes you through the outskirts of Peterborough, then past the Historic Lift Lock, in the tunnel, into East City, over the bridge, and into the downtown, down to Little Lake and then back toward the North End and the zoo.

East City (screengrab from video)

One person in the YouTube comments of the video said “So who volunteers to drive the same route and take the same video.” Now that would be neat!

Downtown (screengrab via video)

Have a watch below—maybe accompany it with some background music on that was released that year (samples include U2’s The Joshua Tree, REM’s Document, Guns N’ Roses Appetite for Destruction, Depeche Mode’s Music for the Masses and Def Leppard’s Hysteria—and add your Spot the Difference comments on our Facebook page post…

Watch it here…

From a family trip to Peterborough home video. Music: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music

[Related: Pictures From 1980s At Riverview Zoo In Peterborough]

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Community Foundation Of Greater Peterborough Has Granted $2.7 Million To Local Charities Since 2011

The Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough hosted its Giving Gala on Saturday, January 25th at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club, and more than 170 community-minded leaders and philanthropists attended the event.

The Community Foundation inspires giving to build a vital community for everyone. Working with donors and charitable organizations, the Foundation invests in the people, ideas and activities that support community vitality.

Community Foundation Board Chairs past and present gathered at the 2020 Giving Gala Peterborough on January 25th at the Peterborough Golf & Country Club (left to right: Alan Thomas, Diane Richard, Bill Lockington, Betty Morris and Janice Green).

“In 2019, the Foundation issued 95 grants with a value of more than $650,000,” says John Good, Director of Fund Development. “That’s a 10-fold increase from the $60,000 made in 2011, bringing the cumulative total of charitable grants made by the Foundation to over $2.7 million!”

The Foundation maintains 70 different charitable funds—a growing pool of endowed and long-term funds with a collective value in excess of $10 million. These funds address particular fields of interest or benefit particular charities, while others enable broad-based granting in the community from support for affordable housing, food security, health and well-being and education to arts, culture, recreation and the environment.

“The Foundation is relentlessly pursuing a future where everyone belongs,” adds Good. “Research indicates that this matters because when we feel like we belong we are healthier, we are more likely to step up and help others, our neighbourhoods are safer, and our community is more resilient in times of crisis.”

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