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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Back-to-School Traffic Enforcement Numbers Released By Peterborough Police Service

The Peterborough Police Service Traffic Unit conducted school zone and community zone traffic enforcement and education during the first week of back-to-school. 

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Officers attended several locations throughout the week in all three of their policing areas. These included Bensfort Drive and Collison Avenue; Hilliard Street and Marina Boulevard; Goodfellow Road and St. Mary’s Street in Peterborough; Sherbrooke Street and Longview Drive in the Township of Cavan-Monaghan and several locations in Lakefield.

Officers issued:  

• 35 Provincial Offence Notices

• Nine Warnings

• Two Part Three Summons - These require a court appearance and could result in increased penalties

Peterborough Police want to remind residents that in Peterborough, school zones have been dedicated as community safety zones, with lower speeds and increased penalties. 

Traffic complaints can be made to their Traffic Unit at 705-876-1122 x289 or through the online reporting portal.

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International Overdose Awareness Day Held to Reduce Stigma and Mourn Those Lost From Drug Addiction

Moms Stop The Harm Peterborough held an International Overdose Awareness Day memorial service honouring those lost at the Silver Bean Café in Millennium Park on Friday afternoon.

Kelly Whetung looks over her late son Joey who passed away from drug poisoning in Dec. 21, 2017. The event had a photographic mural and white crosses in purple decor to honour those fallen to drug addiction. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The day coincides with International Overdose Awareness Day that is held every year on Aug. 31.

The global event is to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief of families and friends suffering from losing a loved one or a victim of injury as a result of a drug overdose.

During the event, stories of how speakers’ loved ones were lost or affected by drug addiction, claiming that there should not be a stigma for it and no judgment should be passed for those suffering.

Between Jan. 1 and July 31, 2022, Peterborough paramedics responded to 234 suspected opioid-related 911 calls and drugs were responsible for 343 emergency department visits according to Peterborough Public Health (PPH).

“I think the crisis requires a continuum of response and massive investment. We look at how we respond to other societal crises including the COVID-19 pandemic and it requires an all-of-society, massive investment on many interventions and solutions.” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, PPH medical officer of health.

Of that same span last year, there were 182 calls, and 232 ER visits but an increase of 43 deaths.

“We need support to address the toxic supply of drugs on the streets. We need support to prevent substance use in the first place. We know that trauma and social determinants of health are the drivers of why many people end up using drugs or have a substance use disorder,” Piggott continued. “We need access to treatment in this community. People that want treatment still can't get access, that needs to improve. We also need to keep people alive and harm reduction responses are trying to do that. People may not be ready for help today or tomorrow but they need they need help to stay alive.”

PPH offered quick sessions on administering aid with a naloxone kit at the event and gave them out for free. Piggott says that carrying naloxone is even easier than learning basic first aid and CPR and this information can be life-saving.

“In five or ten minutes, we can safely train people on how to administer it,” he said. “I think if you are around people who use drugs, if you are in an area of the city where you may see and find somebody who needs help, this is an easy way to learn a little bit more about how you can save a life so I encourage people to carry naloxone.”

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Peterborough County Family Recognized For Sports Volunteer Efforts With Commemorative Plaque

Township Council, Staff and community members gathered to celebrate the unveiling of the Wilford Family plaque at the Douglas Sports Centre Ball Diamond in Lakefield on Thursday evening.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough County.

This plaque has been installed to acknowledge the Wilford family (Jim, Yvonne and children Jessica and her husband Shawn, and Jimmy) for contributing to youth sports in our community.

“What stands out about the Wilford family is their deep commitment to the members of our community. They haven’t just supported our sports programs—they’ve helped build them,” said Sherry Senis, Selwyn Township Mayor. “Whether through countless volunteer hours, coaching, organizing, or contributing to the construction and maintenance of our ball diamonds, the Wilford’s have poured their hearts into making sure our kids have the opportunities and facilities they need to thrive and play.”

The Township of Selwyn would again like to thank the Wilford family for their commitment to our community.

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Third Year of Gauvreau CPA's 'Gear Up For Good' Initiative Sends 208 Backpacks to Kids For Back-To-School Head Start

There were 208 fully-stocked backpacks given by Gauvreau CPA’s ‘Gear Up for Good’ initiative to kids to get a head start on back to school at the accounting firm on Friday.

(From left to right) Carrie Truman, Kawartha Haliburton Children's Foundation executive director; Tammy Thompson, Case Worker at Peterborough Bigs; Ava McQuade, 9, Little Sister and Robert Gauvreau of Gauvreau CPA. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The children receiving the backpacks are affiliated with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough (Peterborough Bigs) and Kawartha Haliburton Children's Foundation.

The initiative is in its third year and has more than doubled its output from last year, with 101 and 73 in the inaugural event.

Seven businesses helped chip in by supplying products for the backpacks:

• Domino's Pizza (200+ pizza dinners donated)

• Ricart Branded Apparel and Promo (200 water bottles and 25 backpacks donated)

• Quaker (800+ snacks donated)

• Eco Chalet Homes (150 Lunchboxes donated)

• Mirror Mirror Beauty Salon (40 Haircuts donated)

• Angela's Hair Co. (10+ Haircuts donated)

• Hair Studio One (10+ Haircuts donated)

Children and parents picked up the supplies throughout the day and selected their knapsacks on a first-come, first-served basis. Kawartha Haliburton Children's Foundation took 75 of the backpacks to be picked up at their facility.

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Hometown PTBO: Gary Dalliday Memorial Golf Tournament of the Broadcaster's Esteemed Career and Community Service

This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with Community Care Peterborough, Tim Dalliday and Dan O'Toole about Gary Dalliday's legacy of his career and community service at his Memorial Golf Tournament.

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Gauvreau GPA Hosting Third Annual 'Gear Up for Good' Campaign Give 200 Local Kids a Head Start For School Supplies

200 local kids are getting a head start for back to school supplies as is Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory is hosting its third annual ‘Gear Up for Good’ campaign.

Savannah Thompson has her pick of the litter of 101 backpacks in the Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory 'Gears Up for Good' initiative from last year. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The initiative provides backpacks and supplies to under-served children in Peterborough from Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Children's Aid Society for the upcoming school year.

This year, the company is increasing its goal from 101 to 200 backpacks from prior years. In addition to the supplies, Gauvreau CPA is providing complimentary haircuts as a way to boost students' confidence as they start the school year according to a press release.

Ricart Branded Apparel and Promo have donated water bottles while Domino's has offered a free pizza to each participating family as part of the campaign.

“Every child deserves the chance to excel in their education,” said Robert Gauvreau of Gauvreau CPA. “We are grateful for the incredible support from our community and partners, and we are determined to make this year's 'Gear Up for Good' campaign the most impactful yet.”

Gauvreau CPA is calling on the public’s assistance to help with the initiative, seeing additional support that includes providing haircuts, backpacks and supplies. Potential assistance can help by visiting Gauvreau’s Amazon Wishlist or drop off donations at their facility located at 150 King St., Suite 100 W by Aug. 16. Backpacks will be distributed on Aug. 23rd.

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Riverview Park and Zoo's James Hamilton Railway Closed For Maintenance

The Riverview Park and Zoo James Hamilton Railway is closed for maintenance until further notice.

The railway welcomes over 66,000 riders each season. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The train has been in service for over 50 years and requires significant repairs according to the Zoo.

“Sometimes our 1860 replica locomotive train ride needs a little TLC. This includes safety check ups, regular inspections, and repairs. Safety is our first priority here at the Park and Zoo,” as stated in a press release.

There have been plans to replace the train and Riverview has been closing in on our fundraising target. The Zoo is continuing to maintain the current train until then.

The Zoo’s campaign has raised $250,000 toward its $350,000 fundraising goal. Thy are asking the public to help them reach 50 per cent of the capital cost to purchase a new locomotive.

Those wanting to help can sponsor or donate to the campaign.

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City of Peterborough Opens Public Survey Canada Day Celebrations

The City is inviting community members to share their ideas and feedback through a survey on how they would like to see the community celebrate Canada Day next year, announced on Thursday.

Photo by Samantha Bianco.

A survey about the Canada Day celebrations is now open online until Aug. 6 at 12:55 p.m. The survey takes about five minutes to complete. 

Feedback from the consultation will help inform recommendations to City Council on how the City organizes and hosts Canada Day celebrations. 

Visit City Hall reception at 500 George St. N for a paper copy of the survey. 

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Hometown PTBO: Ken Seim As the New Rotary Club of Peterborough President and Family's History With the Organization

This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with Ken Seim about becoming the new president of the Rotary Club of Peterborough, his family's history with the organization and the club's future with him at the helm.

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