Fleming College Opens Residence To Frontline Healthcare Professionals Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Fleming College has opened its residence buildings to offer temporary housing options for frontline healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Fleming College is proud to support our community in our collaborative COVID-19 efforts,” says Fleming College President Maureen Adamson. “We must do our part for those fighting on the frontlines to keep us and our loved ones safe and healthy.”

Photo courtesy Fleming College

Fleming College has opened its residence buildings at Sutherland Campus for healthcare professionals, and is preparing its Frost Campus residence in Lindsay for Ross Memorial Hospital employees. The College has signed partnerships with Peterborough Regional Health Centre, OMNI Health Care Long Term Care, Peterborough County Paramedics, St. Joseph’s at Fleming and Ross Memorial Hospital.

On top of opening the residence to frontline workers, Fleming’s ongoing efforts to support the community during the pandemic have included:

-> use of the 3D printer at the Makerspace to create face shield parts for facemasks

-> establishing a Student Help Line to offer additional support for students, along with the creation of a COVID-19 Student Emergency Fund for students

-> the launch of a music video, #TogetherAtHome, featuring Blue Rodeo’s Greg Keelor and local artists in support of the emergency fund. 

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Harco Enterprises Ltd. In Peterborough Receives Expedited Health Canada Approval To Produce PPE

On Friday (May 1st), Maryam Monsef, Member of Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha, announced that Harco Enterprises Ltd. in Peterborough has received approval by Health Canada to manufacture and distribute a COVID-19 Medical Device (Harco Face Shield).

With the approval, Harco Enterprises are currently able to produce 2,000 components per day and looking for options to be flexible depending on what the demand is in the days and weeks ahead.

“Through our government’s Plan to Mobilize Industry to fight COVID-19, we have been supporting local businesses so they can quickly scale up production or re-tool their manufacturing lines to develop needed products right here at home,” says Monsef. “We are stronger together, and businesses like Harco who are stepping up to help at a time when it’s most needed shows the character of our community.”

“Through the media we had seen that the 3D printing community were printing headbands for a face shield—we thought we could make injection mold tooling to produce similar components,” says Terry Harris, Vice President of Harco Enterprises Ltd. “We decided on a popular open source design being used, then from a sample our team created a mold for a head band and strap, and coupled it with a clear shield. After showing this to Peterborough Regional Health Centre, they had faith in us and this item, and placed an order.”

Harris noted that from the beginning of the project, Harco Enterprises Ltd. reached out to the business community and received a tremendous response and networking support from Peterborough Kawartha Economic Development, the Kawartha Manufacturers Association, and many others. They were able to collaborate with Dan Baily at Merit Precision, Mark Bateman and Mike Shafer at Ventra Plastics, as well as engaged Jeff Pinkney who was instrumental in helping obtain the Health Canada license.

If there are any clinics, hospitals or long-term care facilities that are in need of face shields, Harco Enterprises Ltd. is asking that you reach out to them by email sales@harco.on.ca or by calling 705-743-5361.

If you are a manufacturer looking to produce PPE equipment, reach out to MP Monsef’s office at Maryam.Monsef@parl.gc.ca.

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YWCA Peterborough Haliburton Announces End Of Walk A Mile In Her Shoes After 11 Year Run

After an 11 year run, YWCA Peterborough Haliburton has reached the decision to end Walk a Mile in Her Shoes in Peterborough.  

"We want to express our heartfelt appreciation to all past participants, sponsors and volunteers whose shared compassion has resulted in more than $950,000 in critical funding for ​women who experience violence," says YWCA's Ria Nicholson.

Since 2009, Walk a Mile in Her Shoes has helped raise community awareness about the prevalence of violence against women and the ongoing need for YWCA Crossroads Shelter and support services in Peterborough.

File photo

YWCA remains committed to securing funds that will ensure the continuation of essential crisis and support services for women who experience violence, both during and after the COVID-19 crisis. 

"Unfortunately, the effects of physical distancing are complex and will be long-lasting—particularly for women we serve," says Kim Dolan, Executive Director of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton. "While physical distancing is essential in reducing exposure to COVID-19, isolation and uncertainty are creating additional barriers and risks for women who are now trapped and have fewer opportunities to get help. We anticipate dramatic increases in the need for shelter, safety planning and crisis support over the coming months." ​

To learn more about YWCA Peterborough Haliburton services for women and children, click here, call 705-743-3526 or email info@ywcapeterborough.org. 

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DBIA's Popular Open Streets Event Peterborough Pulse Cancelled

Peterborough Pulse has cancelled this year’s Open Streets event in response to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and the implications it has for large gatherings. 

The Pulse Organizing Committee felt their decision to cancel the July 18th event was a necessary measure in safeguarding the well-being and health of the Peterborough community. 

“Public health must come first—now and always,” says Terry Guiel, Executive Director of the Downtown Business Improvement Area and Peterborough Pulse Co-Chair. 

“Just like our community, Pulse is extremely resilient,” adds Hillary Flood, Peterborough Pulse Coordinator. “We look forward to a future when it is safe again to gather in the streets. When Pulse returns it will be with all the colourful community magic one could expect from our hyper-local Open Streets festival!”

While the event may be cancelled this year, Pulse intends to inspire community connection online and will be using its Facebook page to spotlight feel-good community actions that will bring the community safely together, even when apart. 

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Watch & Join In To The Entertainment Filled Community Event covAID On Saturday, May 16th

On Saturday, May 16th at 7 p.m., PTBOStrong invites you to tune into covAID, an entertainment filled evening to enjoy with the family at home with a mix of local musicians performing along with messages from community leaders and local celebrities.

100% of funds raised during covAID will flow through the COVID-19 Community Response Fund—established by the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough and United Way Peterborough & District—to charities providing mental health supports in our community.

“I have so many friends and business owners in the community who are suffering from mental health issues that are compounded by this crisis,” says Tim Burke of PTBOStrong, who is co-organizer of covAID with David Koski. “I thought that covAID would be a great opportunity to bring Peterborough and the Kawarthas together for a special night while raising vital funds for the COVID-19 Community Response Fund.”

On May 16th starting at 7 p.m., connect to PTBOStrong on Facebook or watch on Cogeco’s YourTV to enjoy great entertainment from local community leaders, musicians, artists and celebrities while donating online here.

"The pandemic has shown how strong our community is at coming together,” adds David Feeley, Senior Manager at YourTV Peterborough/Lindsay. "Being involved in this project and broadcasting covAid is something YourTV couldn't be more proud of.”
 
Donations received during covAID will go to local charities to help them respond to increased demand for counselling and other mental health supports and to deliver those services in innovative ways during the pandemic.

“For people already living with mental health challenges, COVID-19 has made it even harder to cope. For others, isolation, financial worries and uncertainty about the future are triggering anxiety and straining relationships," says John Good of Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough. "The COVID-19 Community Response Fund is a partnership between the Community Foundation, United Way Peterborough & District and local donors—helping charities provide mental health supports in new ways amid challenging circumstances."

covAid organizers encourage people to use the hashtags #CovaidPtbo and #PtboStrong on their social media platforms in the build-up to the event, and that night, and share what community and mental health means to you during this pandemic.

You can also get your official covAID merchandise here. 100% of funds raised from merchandise sales will go to COVID-19 Community Response Fund.

Everyone who can is also encouraged to make a donation to coVaid now or that night in support of mental health.

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Trent U Student Breaks Guinness World Record for Indoor Cycling & Does It For Great Cause

Peterborough’s Travis Samuel balances the rigorous training and travel demands of being a professional cyclist with his studies at Trent University.

Faced with racing plans dramatically changed for the upcoming season as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 25-year-old Business and Economics student and his teammates dedicated themselves to a new effort—a 24-hour continuous indoor cycling event, with the goal of fundraising for community hospitals and a possible shot at a Guinness World Record.

Travis Samuel (photo courtesy Trent University)

“I was all for launching a 24-hour ride for raising money for our frontline health care workers with my team Toronto Hustle,” says Travis. “As I started to do more and more research on what it was going to take to break the record, I started realizing that I could do it if I had everything go perfectly.”

Through online cycling software, he was able to ride virtually with his teammates and cyclists from around the world. Throughout the record attempt, members of the cycling community rode alongside on their home trainers encouraging him along the way.

(Photo courtesy Trent University)

After an incredible 24 hours on the bike, a mentally and physically exhausted Travis climbed off his bike, completing an incredible 1,008 km and breaking the previous Guinness World Record. He maintained an average speed over 42 km/h for the entire event, and we’re exhausted just writing that.

The community-driven event was also an amazing success in exceeding its initial fundraising goal of $10,000. After the campaign was completed, more than $210,000 was raised in support of the Michael Garron Hospital Foundation in Toronto to provide the necessary equipment to support frontline healthcare workers directly involved in COVID-19 patient care.

“I'm pretty speechless in what has happened over the past two weeks with the #CrushCOVID campaign,” adds Travis. “I just hope that our fundraiser will help ease the stress a bit off our healthcare workers.”

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Help Frontline Healthcare Workers & Local Businesses When You Purchase Downtown Gift Cards

The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) has launched a great new initiative to support both downtown businesses and frontline workers during this crisis.

The DBIA is donating $25 to the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation in support of the hospital’s COVID-19 response effort for every $50 in gift cards purchased at supportdowntownptbo.ca. 

Photo courtesy DBIA

Thanks to a generous community donation of up to $50,000, the PRHC Foundation is able to match community donations for a limited time, meaning your purchase of $50 in gift cards for your local downtown businesses can leverage $50 in support of the PRHC Foundation. 

Donations to the PRHC Foundation’s COVID-19 response fund will help fund vital investments such as additional ventilators, laryngoscopes for emergency intubation, additional ICU beds, wellness supports for staff who must stay at the hospital while treating patients, and more protective equipment and scrubs to help keep them safe.

Photo by Mary Zita Payne

Local businesses continue to face many challenges and your support with the purchase of gift cards is helping them through a very difficult time. 

 “The support of our community has been phenomenal,” says Terry Guiel, Executive Director of the DBIA. “Your support with these gift cards has absolutely helped to save some of our local businesses. Let’s keep this up and support our hospital and the amazing work they’re doing to keep us safe.”

 HOW IT WORKS

• Go to supportdowntownptbo.ca

• Find your favourite shops, restaurants, pubs, and services

• Select the gift cards you would like to purchase and add them to your cart

• Select the $25 PRHC Foundation Special Promotion and add one for every $50 in gift cards you purchase 

• Check out

• Receive your gift cards (or instructions from the business via email on next steps to activate it) in the mail to use at a later date

The DBIA will continue to donate $25 to the PRHC Foundation for every $50 in gift cards purchased until $5,000 in gift cards have been purchased.

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2020 Taste Of Downtown Has Been Cancelled Due To Covid-19 Crisis

With the uncertainty around Covid-19 and timelines around this physical distancing phase, the popular downtown event Taste of Downtown has been cancelled for 2020.

Taste of Downtown was scheduled for Saturday, June 6th on Charlotte Street. The event typically features more than 20 local restaurants, live entertainment, a beer garden, and family activities. The event will return to Charlotte Street on June 5th, 2021.

File photo courtesy DBIA

“The most important thing right now is that people look after themselves, stay safe, and stay home,” says Terry Guiel, Executive Director of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area. “Rest assured, when we get through this crisis and it’s safe to hold events again, we’re going to host a big party downtown and everyone’s invited.”

In the meantime, if you still want a taste of what the downtown has to offer, check out their list of downtown eateries that are open for takeout and delivery here.  

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Fleming College Creates Face Shield Parts For Frontline Workers At 3D Makerspace In Innovation Cluster

Fleming College has been working out of its downtown 3D Makerspace, located in the Innovation Cluster’s downtown Peterborough incubator, to create headbands and reinforcement pieces for face shields.

These will be given to frontline healthcare workers in the Peterborough region.

HOW THE INITIATIVE STARTED

The initiative began on April 3rd, when Fleming College delivered headbands to the Peterborough PPE Initiative, a group of Peterborough makers who are creating personal protective equipment.

This group, which is led by Fleming College graduate Dylan Radcliffe, have been creating face shields using PETG sheets, plastic brackets, and elastic material, made possible by the Makerspace's 3D printers.

“We are very proud to work with our community partners at Innovation Cluster to support this initiative and produce pieces that create much-needed resources to keep our frontline workers safe,” says Fleming College President Maureen Adamson. 

Fleming College’s School of Trades & Technology faculty Fereydoon Diba, with support from Operations Manager Mary MacLeod and Computer Science Technologist Phillip Chee, supported the group by creating more than 500 bottom reinforcement pieces for face shields in the Makerspace.

The donation was made on April 16th and the Peterborough PPE Initiative will assemble and sanitize the face shields, which will be used at PRHC.

“When Fleming College decided to open the 3D Makerspace in the incubator months ago, we knew the hands-on learning environment would be important but now we know it is essential," says John Gillis, President of the Innovation Cluster. "The incubator has always been home to important technological advancements and we are excited that even though startups are unable to physically complete their work in the space due to COVID-19, it is still being used to create and make a difference.”

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Trent Community Has Raised More than $70,000 In Emergency Support For Students Affected by COVID-19

With an amazing funding boost of $70,000 in donations to the Student Rapid Relief Fund (SRRF), Trent University has distributed emergency support directly to students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The new fund, established specifically to assist Trent students experiencing financial hardships due to COVID-19, complements Trent’s reputation as a national leader for scholarships and bursaries, and builds on additional emergency funding provided by the University.

“The response so far has been tremendous,” says Sherry Booth, director of philanthropy at Trent. “We had so many reach out who wanted to help either financially or by offering words of encouragement. The ongoing #TrentUCares campaign reinforces just how much the Trent family is committed and responsive to the challenges facing the world today.” 

A significant portion of funding for the SRRF came from Trent’s five colleges, which collectively contributed $21,300 to the fund. The Trent University Alumni Association also came forward with a generous $10,000 lead contribution to help launch the SRRF earlier this month.

“The funding injection was crucial when students needed it most,” adds Christopher Rooney, associate registrar of operations and client services. “The COVID-19 crisis has hit in waves. Students needed immediate emergency funding to travel home, set-up online learning, and pay for basic necessities like rent and groceries.”

With financial need expected to increase over the coming months, Trent University is continuing to fundraise for student relief support, which will aim to ensure that changes to a student’s financial situation do not become a barrier to accessing a Trent education.

Consider donating or sharing a word of encouragement here.

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