Peterborough Kinsmen Club Gives $4,000 In Grocery Gift Certificates to Celebrate Kin Kindness Day

As part of Kin Kindness Day, the Kinsmen Club of Peterborough gave 160 gift certificates worth $4,000 to shoppers at George Street No Frills and Brock Street FreshCo on Feb. 22.

Since its founding in 1920 as the only all-Canadian service organization, Kin Canada has donated over $1 billion to individuals, families and programs in need across Canada. Photo courtesy of Kinsmen Club of Peterborough.

The annual event promotes kindness and compassion to foster a culture of empathy and goodwill.

“Kin Kindness Day is a reflection of our mission to make a difference and give back to the community,” Barry Craft, Kinsmen Club of Peterborough president “Again this year, we were grateful for the opportunity to support local families and show our appreciation to the people of Peterborough through the simple gesture of helping with this week’s grocery bill.”

Unsuspecting shoppers were offered the gift certificates and after hearing the purpose through kindness, several people handed them back to those who needed them more.

“It’s an honor for our stores to partner with the Kinsmen Club in such a meaningful initiative,” said Scott Anderson, FreshCo store owner. “Times are tough and it was nice to see the smiles on my customers’ faces knowing that this week would be a little bit easier. We were proud again this year to help spread kindness and support the incredible work the Kinsmen do in this community.”

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Miskin Law Donates $10,000 Towards Peterborough Folk Festival; Also Named Main Stage Sponsor

Peterborough Folk Festival (PFF) has received a $10,000 cheque from Miskin Law who has been named the 2025 main stage sponsor, announced on Tuesday.

(From left to right) Murray Miskin and Chris Goddard present Rob Davis and Calvin Bakelaar with a cheque of $10,000 to confirm their place as the 2025 Peterborough Folk Festival Main Stage Sponsor. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Folk Festival.

The money was donated during a cheque presentation held at Miskin Law Offices on Wednesday.

“Miskin Law is proud to be a supporter of Peterborough Folk Festival, showcase well-known artists, promote local and emerging artists and help bring them to the forefront," said Murray Miskin.

“The values of Peterborough Folk Festival and Miskin Law align. We are here to help and build community,” said Chris Goddard, Miskin Law partner. Peterborough Folk Festival brings people together in a way that we value and support.”

As a volunteer-run registered charity, Peterborough Folk Festival relies on community leadership and support from sponsors like Miskin Law. Their generous sponsorship is vital to the success of promoting and preserving this cultural gem that is inclusive, welcoming, and accessible to everyone.

“The festival deeply appreciates Miskin Law for their unwavering support and commitment to fostering a vibrant cultural scene in Peterborough. Their partnership ensures that Peterborough Folk Festival continues to thrive and bring joy to our community year after year.” said Rob Davis, PFF Chair.

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Downtown Holiday Parking Program Raises Over $12,000 For Kawartha Food Share

The City of Peterborough’s free holiday downtown parking program raised $12,001.77 for Kawartha Food Share that was collected as voluntary parking payments, announced on Wednesday.

The Kawartha Food Share currently assists 14,000 people each month through its 36 member agencies, along with supporting 17,000 schoolchildren at 51 area schools through breakfast and nutrition programs. The free two-hour program first began in 2003. Since then, downtown patrons have helped donate $251,627.65 to Kawartha Food Share. Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The program offered free, two-hour parking in all municipal spaces in the downtown core from Nov. 29 to Dec. 31 and was sponsored by Wolfe Personal Injury Lawyers.

“By voluntarily paying for parking, downtown visitors not only supported local businesses but also raised more than $12,000 for Kawartha Food Share. This one simple gesture turned into a powerful act of giving that will make a real difference for those in need,” said Mayor Jeff Leal.

“Thanks to the incredible generosity and community spirit of downtown visitors we’ve seen an overwhelming response to our free holiday parking program. This truly reflects the heart and soul of our city—compassionate, giving, and always ready to support one another,” said Town Ward Councillors Alex Bierk and Joy Lachica in a joint statement.

“Wolfe Personal Injury Lawyers was proud to once again partner with the City of Peterborough for this important cause,” said Bill Wolfe, with Wolfe Personal Injury Lawyers. “We appreciate the support and generosity of shoppers and residents who made voluntary donations during the holiday season. These funds, through the support of Kawartha Food Share, will help reduce food insecurity throughout the region.”

“We are very thankful for the continued support of the City of Peterborough and the wonderful citizens who visited and shopped downtown this holiday season. This donation will allow us to purchase much-needed nutritious food items for community members in need,” said Ashlee Aitken, KFS general manager.

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Trent Valley Honda For Its 50th Anniversary Donates $10,000 to JA-NEO For Youth Business Empowerment

To mark Trent Valley Honda’s golden anniversary of 50 years, they have donated $10,000 towards JA-NEO’s 10 for 10 initiative, announced on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Ja-NEO.

The money is used for youth empowerment through financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurial education according to John McNutt, JA-NEO president, and CEO.

“We at JA-NEO are absolutely thrilled to be part of this incredible initiative. Huge shoutout to Monika and the TV Honda team for their generosity and vision,” he said.

“Investing in and supporting JA in our community is investing in the future health of our local economy and our future business leaders.” said Monika Carmichael, Trent Valley Honda dealer principal and general manager. “What a perfect opportunity to align ourselves with the 10th Anniversary of our local Business Hall of Fame, as we celebrate our 50th year as a family business in Peterborough.”

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Canadian Council of the Blind Receives Cheque From AON Inc. For Increased Accessibility For Visual Aids

To help the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB Peterborough) increase accessibility, AON Inc. has donated $1,000 at the former’s office on Friday afternoon.

(From left to right) Vikci Coppins, Centennial Place director of dietary services; Sarah Joore, Aon Inc Sales and marketing project coordinator; Andra Hughes, Aon Inc wellnesss coordinator, Jim Haryett, CCB volunteer and Debby Whittern, Empress Gardens. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The money was used to purchase items to help in visual aids for the CCB.

It purchased two portable digital video magnifiers, two large-font keyboards and 100 signature cards.

“Donations like this are instrumental in supporting our ‘From the Blind, For the Blind’ lending library,” said Debby Harriet CCB librarian. “We are always in need of new devices, and each device makes a real difference to a community member.”

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65th Annual Liftlock U11 Hockey Tournament Kicks Off Friday In Three-Day Event

A continued Peterborough hockey tradition lives on as the 65th-Annual Liftlock U11 Hockey Tournament faces off starting Friday, announced at the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame on Wednesday night.

(From left to right) John Whiston, Scott McMichael, Paul Buchner and Bill Byrd were the recipients of the Don McCrory Referee’s Award, Steve Casey Award and Frank Lustic Award (two winners) respectively. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The three-day event starts Friday, with opening ceremonies for house league and rep divisions at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC). YourTV Cogeco is broadcasting the first two opening games for house and rep divisions.

The broadcasted games are the PHA 3 Orange Crush facing the Apsley Flames for the house league opening game at 9:30 a.m. Friday. The other is the Peterborough Petes U11 battling against the Collingwood Jr. Blues U11 at 10:45 a.m. in the rep league opening game, also known as the Chris Fee Cup. It pits the host Peterborough team against the visiting squad.

This year features 64 teams from throughout the province with seven divisions.

Tournament chairman Wally Moore says he is happy to continue seeing a long-standing hockey tradition in Peterborough that has run through several generations.

“We've had so many local kids play over the years. My kids played in it, practically everyone's kids have played in it at one point,” he explained. “This town is a sports town and for hockey, they really get behind it. It's generations through generations. It's grandparents that used to run it, then their sons run it then their grandkids run it. It's a family affair.”

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

A cheque presentation of $2,500 was also donated to the Ennismore Inclusive Playground Project (Jude’s Joy) as the chosen beneficiary, as the tournament supports a local charity or more annually.

Several awards were distributed ahead of the opening ceremonies recognizing some volunteers for their contributions to the tournament over the years:

• Don McCrory Referee’s Award for exemplifying McCrory’s dedication to officiating - John Whiston

• Steve Casey Award for a volunteer going the extra mile to contributing to the tournament’s success – Scott McMichael

• Frank Lustic Award for exemplifying all Lustic’s qualities who volunteered for over 25 years in minor sports – Paul Buchner and Bill Byrd

The announcement also paid homage to longtime tournament volunteer Steve Casey, who passed away last year on June 6 at Hospice Peterborough.

He helped for over 50 years of the tournament and was the chairman for 26 years from 1986 to 2012.

“Steve was dedicated to this tournament,” explained Moore. “We're fellow GE workers so there's a lot of us still involved because Steve would recruit each of us year to year. He did a wonderful job.”

The City’s Peterborough Civic Awards is renaming its Adult Athlete of the Year Award to the Steve Casey Award in his honour.

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Morton Family Foundation Makes $50,000 Donation to YWCA For the Fifth Consecutive Year

The Morton Family Foundation has donated $50,000 to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton for the fifth consecutive year to support the YWCA’s services for women and children in Haliburton County, announced on Monday.

Photo courtesy of the YWCA.

Patricia and David Morton have donated to the YWCA for 12 years and have given $50,000 each year since 2020.

The money will support YWCA’s programs in Haliburton County, which provide rural women experiencing violence and abuse with vital services including safety planning, counselling, and legal assistance.

Patricia, a professor emerita who taught history and women’s studies for 26 years at Trent University, said that their commitment to the YWCA stems from the epidemic of gender-based abuse and violence against women in our country.

“About 44 per cent of Canadian women (6.2 million people) have reported experiencing psychological or physical abuse in an intimate relationship,” she explained. “Gender-based violence has severe ramifications on the health of the victims – including traumatic brain injuries that can result in lasting mental health challenges and even death, as well as lasting traumatic impacts on their children. David and I feel very fortunate to be able to contribute again to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton’s vital support services and safe shelters for the many women who are endangered by gender-based abuse and too often deadly violence.”

Patricia notes that close to 200 women in Canada were killed by femicide last year with over 60 cases in Ontario. YWCA states that the true numbers are even higher, as many instances of violence and abuse are never reported,and statistics only include those cases ruled as femicide by authorities.

“Clearly femicide must be stopped, and all levels of government must enact legislation that provides protection, safety, support, and affordable housing for the survivors of gender-based abuse and violence,” said Patricia. “Isolated rural women are especially vulnerable to intimate partner abuse and violence and to femicide.

“The Morton Family Foundation has reached a milestone in their tradition of generosity, after five years of leadership giving,” said Kim Dolan, YWCA executive director. “I am truly grateful every day for Patricia and David’s dedication to supporting so many worthwhile community initiatives. I offer them thanks on behalf of every woman and child we serve in Haliburton County, for providing them with the resources and support they need to feel safe again.”

“I believe it is so important to support YWCA Peterborough Haliburton in their effort to protect women who are in very vulnerable situations,” said David. “I urge others to support the YWCA in this effort.”

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Community Care Peterborough Exceeds Meals On Wheels Donation Goal On 60th Anniversary

Community Care Peterborough has exceeded its goal of 600 donated meals for Meals on Wheels clients in December during the program’s 60th anniversary, announced on Monday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Community Care says there were 634 meals donated.

“Our community’s generosity never ceases to amaze us,” said Chris LeBlanc, Community Care director of donors and public relations. “These meals ensure that our clients feel cared for and supported during the holiday season, a time that can be challenging for so many.”

The Meals on Wheels program provides nutritious meals and vital connections to seniors and adults living with physical challenges throughout Peterborough and surrounding areas.

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Local Restaurant Owner Continues Holiday Spirit of Giving Free Meals To Anyone In Need On Christmas Day

The Original Spaghetti House Pizzeria owner, Ilir Sino, keeps his holiday-giving spirit going as he plans to give our free hot meals for Christmas Day to anyone in need.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ILIR SINO.

He typically offers free hot meals during Easter and Christmas and has given away meals during this year’s Thanksgiving.

Meals will be distributed from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Spaghetti House, 512 George St. S.

Sino announced on his Facebook that he is inviting Peterborough and the surrounding area to grab a meal on Saturday.

Sino has a history of philanthropy. In November 2022, he donated $1,500 to Alternatives Community Program Services Peterborough. He has also donated to local sports teams and other charities.

He opened his production facility, Sino’s Fine Foods, located at 597 Monaghan Rd. in the summer of 2022. The business produces his sauces, dressings, soups, oven-ready dinners and more.

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