Registration Open For Third Annual GPHSF Charity Bonspiel

Registration is now open for the third annual Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF) Charity Bonspiel, held on Feb. 15 at the Peterborough Curling Club.

Photo courtesy of GPHSF.

“We are really excited for our 3rd Bonspiel in partnership with Imprinted Apparel Store. This event continues to grow each year. The response remains incredibly positive. We have a great time putting it on and being part of this event” said Vince Bierworth, GPHSF executive director. “Funds raised from this event will continue our mission to broaden health equity and access to healthcare for the residents in Peterborough City and County as well as Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations.  Funds will support our partnership with the Peterborough Family Health Team, along with many other community organizations we work with.”

Registration is $300, with a $60 tax receipt. The day includes two games along with breakfast and lunch. There are $2,000 in prizes to be won provided by Imprinted Apparel Store and $500 in prizes provided by Goldline. Other activities such as trivia challenges, raffle draws, cornhole boards and many other opportunities to win prizes will be at the event.

Participants can register online. Only 24 teams are available. GPHSF notes that participants should have some experience with the game and their equipment. They will not be able to provide on-ice training for beginners.

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GPHSF Announces New Senior Care Microgrant

The Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF) has announced its new Senior Care Microgrant program to support senior care projects and healthy aging initiatives in the Peterborough area.

These grants have been made possible due to funding provided by the June Towle Trust. She passed away in 2023. Photo courtesy of GPHSF.

Two grants are available with the application deadline on Sept. 30. Find out more about the grants and criteria below. 

The new Senior Care Microgrant program is meant to be a low-barrier applicant process according to GPHSF. The grants can be used as seed money to address a new need or as financial support to an existing program in Peterborough, County, Hiawatha First Nation and Curve Lake First Nation. 

Two grants are available, with up to $5000 in funding available with each grant.

Applications are open to community and not-for-profit organizations, including medical organizations, that run programming and services or propose to run programming and services within the boundaries of Peterborough City and/or Peterborough County, Hiawatha First Nation and Curve Lake First Nation.

Proposed projects must be general in scope (including and impactful on as many people as possible). Project completion must occur within one year of approval unless GPHSF grants an extension. Grant funding can be applied to existing projects or used as seed money for new projects.

A maximum of $5,000 is available for each gran, and a maximum of $10,000 is available across all grants (two total).

The project timeline and budget must be provided.

Senior Care Microgrant projects may include.

  • Research

  • Equipment

  • Nutrition

  • Physical Activity

  • Mental Health

Priority will be given to projects that:

  • Have a lasting impact on our community.

  • Support emerging needs in our community.

  • Improve the quality of life for seniors in the community.

Applications can be submitted online.

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Petes AA Assistant Captain Named Recipient of H.O.P.E. Bursary 2024 Steve Montador Bursary

Peterborough Petes AA assistant captain Jack Crawford has been named the recipient of Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation’s (GPHSF) and Helping Others Participate Equally’s (HOPE) 2024 Steve Montador Bursary.

(From left to right) Vince Bierworth (GPHSF), Amanda McInnes (St. Peter’s Secondary), Laura Kennedy (H.O.P.E.) Jack Crawford and Dave Crawford. Photo courtesy of Susan Owen and GPHSF.

The H.O.P.E. Bursary, in honour of Steve Montador, was established to support students transitioning from high school to college/university who suffer the long-term effects of a sports-related concussion and require a reduced academic course load due to injury.

Crawford has been suffering long-term ramifications of a concussion but he has remained a positive influence in his community according to his coach, Scott Hartwick.

“(Jack) was always willing to help when asked and who tried his best with everything he did. He is an extremely dependable and trustworthy individual and was made assistant captain of the team on numerous occasions.”

Crawford is graduating from St. Peters Catholic Secondary School this year and has been accepted to attend the University of Guelph in the fall.

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1,000 Participants Help Peterborough Butterfly Run Raise Over $92,000

Over 1,000 people got their feet moving for the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation’s (GPHSF) Peterborough Butterfly Run, raising over $92,000 at Millennium Park on Sunday.

Since 2018, more than 800 bereavement kits have been created to be provided to families and individuals by health care providers with the Peterborough Family Health Team and PRHC. Photo courtesy of GPHSF.

Participants could participate in the one km Kids Fun Run, one km Memorial Walk or the 5 km Run/Walk. The run was in support of anyone who has experienced a loss during pregnancy, the loss of a child, or is unable to conceive.

The proceeds were used to provide ongoing specialized education in Perinatal Bereavement Care to healthcare providers across Peterborough City and County, establish more than 10 lending libraries for individuals and their families located across Peterborough City and County and develop bereavement kits for families and individuals who experience early and later pregnancy loss and infant loss.

“It was great to feel the fellowship, support, and comradery of the crowd which is what the event has always been about,” said Vince Bierworth, GPHSF executive director. “No matter what format the event has taken, there are so many that support its mission. For that we are very grateful.”

The top three fundraising teams were: Macks Pack, The White Family and Team Bene’s Buddies. 

The top three individual fundraisers were Stephanie Sutton, Rebecca Mcevoy and Cally White.

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Applications Open For 2024 Steve Montador H.O.P.E Bursary For High School Students With Sports-Related Injuries

Applications for the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF) H.O.P.E. Bursary in honour of former NHL defenceman Steve Montador are open with the deadline on May 1 at midnight.

(from left to right) Mike Martone (H.O.P.E.), David Graham , Eliza Graham and Chad Cavanagh (H.O.P.E.). Eliza was last year’s recipient of the bursary. Photo courtesy of Vince Bierworth and GPHSF.

The bursary is for high school students who have a reduced academic workload due to the suffering effects of sports-related injuries and are transitioning into college or university.

A committee consisting of H.O.P.E., Team 55, GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation and the Canadian Mental Health Association will review all applicants. Applicants will be notified of their status by May 20.

To be considered for the Bursary, you need to be:

  • A student at a Peterborough City/County-based high school and registered in a first-year program at college/university

  • Suffering from post-concussion syndrome sustained from a sports-related injury

  • Be in satisfactory academic standing

  • Have financial need

Students can apply for the bursary by downloading the registration form online.

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Third-Annual Darkness to Light Event Brings Community Members Impacted By Suicide Together In Sunrise Gathering

Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF) is hosting its third-annual Darkness To Light for community members impacted by suicide and overdose on Dec. 21 at Rogers Cove.

Photo courtesy of Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation.

The outdoor sunrise gathering marks brighter days ahead after the solstice which is the day with the smallest amount of daylight.

Julie Brown — who led last year’s event — is returning to lead the group with a message of support and a moment of silence as the sun rises on the winter solstice morning.

The event will be rain, snow or shine and is free to attend thanks to the support of Seven Hills Developments. Those wishing to attend can show up the morning of the event but are encouraged to pre-register. Organizers ask guests to arrive by 7:30 a.m. as sunrise is expected at 7:45 a.m.

“The holidays can be a difficult time for those struggling with bereavement. After feedback about how impactful the last two ceremonies have been, we are glad to be able to offer once again some comfort for people impacted by suicide and overdose in our community,” said Vince Bierworth, GPHSF executive director. “All are welcome to join us at Rogers Cove on the morning of December 21st and we would encourage people to come for 7:30 a.m., have a coffee and join us in a moment of silence as the sun rises over the lake.”

Donations can be made to the event and proceeds support the Suicide Bereavement work at Hospice Peterborough.

“Our community has been significantly impacted by suicide and overdose and we hope that this gathering will help create a space where those directly touched can come together for a quiet moment,” said Julie Brown.

“We are very grateful to GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation and Seven Hills Developments for enabling this event to take place again and offering the opportunity for people impacted by suicide and overdose deaths to come together in this meaningful, safe way,” said Hajni Hős, Hospice executive director.

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Applications Open For Steve Montador H.O.P.E Bursary For High School Students With Sports-Related Injuries

Applications for the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF) H.O.P.E. Bursary in honour of Steve Montador are open with the deadline on May 1 until midnight.

(from left to right) Mike Martone (H.O.P.E.), David Graham , Eliza Graham and Chad Cavanagh (H.O.P.E.). Eliza was last year’s recipient of the bursary. Photo courtesy of Vince Bierworth and GPHSF.

The bursary is for high school students that have a reduced academic workload due to the suffering effects of sports-related injuries and are transitioning into college or university.

All applicants will be reviewed by a committee consisting of H.O.P.E., Team 55, GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation,and the Canadian Mental Health Association. All applicants will be notified of their status by May 16.

To be considered for the Bursary, you need to be:

  • A student at a Peterborough City/County-based high school and registered in a first-year program at college/university

  • Suffering from post-concussion syndrome sustained from a sports-related injury

  • Be in satisfactory academic standing

  • Have financial need

Students can apply for the bursary by downloading the registration form online.

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Mombassadors Partner With GPHSF to Raise Funds For Youth Mental Health

GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation, announced on Wednesday that they have partnered with the fundraising group the Mombassadors, with a joint goal of raising $100,000 for youth mental health programming provided by Peterborough Youth Services.

File photos.

Their first fundraiser will be an online Christmas auction that will run Dec. 8 through to Dec. 14.

The auction will feature toy bundles, gift cards, art pieces, lifestyle products and more thanks to many local businesses and Mombassador supporters.

“We are so excited to be working with GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation to support youth mental health in our community,” said Erin Marshall, Mombassadors. “GPHSF has a long history of supporting mental health programming in the community and together we are working to increase capacity and decrease wait times for children accessing mental health programming at Peterborough Youth Services. We know this pandemic has hit many children very hard and we want to ensure they have timely access to mental health programming and counselling.”

All funds raised from the Mombassadors’ Christmas auction will go directly to Peterborough Youth Services.

PYS are a non-profit social service agency that has been providing counselling and support to youth and their families locally for over forty years. With additional activities planned for the coming months from the Mombassadors and GPSHF, a goal of $100,000 will mean decreasing wait times and increasing capacity with PYS mental health programming.

“The Mombassadors are a powerhouse of passionate women dedicated to improving life for residents of our community and it is an honour to be their charitable partner,” said Laura Kennedy, Executive Director, GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation. “Youth Mental Health programming has been an area we have been funding for a number of years and we are excited to be setting a goal of $100,000 to raise with the Mombassadors.”

GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation, works to enable the Peterborough community to improve and increase their control over health, by funding initiatives that broaden equity and access to healthcare. As a non-profit Foundation their vision is to fund and support programs that positively impact the social determinants of health.

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Blue Rodeo To Play Memorial Centre December 28th, Portion Of Proceeds To GPHSF

The Peterborough Memorial Centre and GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation, has announced that Blue Rodeo will be performing at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Friday, December, 28th with special guests.  

“We are so thrilled to have the iconic Canadian band Blue Rodeo coming to play at the Peterborough Memorial Centre,” says Laura Kennedy, Executive Director, GPHSF. “It is a privilege for us to be able to partner on this event with the Peterborough Memorial Centre and we are very grateful that a portion of ticket sales will be invested in local health care across Peterborough City and County. 

Photo via Blue Rodeo Facebook page

With their 14th Warner Music Canada studio album, 1000 Arms, Blue Rodeo’s successes include induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame (2012), receiving a Governor General’s Performing Arts Award (2014) and selling in excess of four million records over the years.

Tickets go on sale Thursday, September 20th in person at the Collins Barrow Box Office inside the PMC, by phone 705-743-3561 and online at memorialcentre.ca

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DBIA Featured Post: Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF)

If you live in or around Peterborough and have a pulse, then surely you have dealt with some part of our cities great healthcare team at some time or another. Behind every great team is a great coach and management, which is exactly what the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF) can be considered. Located at 150 King St, the foundation formerly known as the St. Joseph’s Care Foundation has been an integral part of our community for almost 30 years now.

In a nutshell, the foundation is a major fundraiser for healthcare equipment, education, research and innovative programs that help the community’s health care team give its patients the best treatment possible.

The foundation consists of a team of tireless workers, including Executive director Hannah Routly, Fundraising and Communications Coordinator Carol Lawless, Board Chair Laura Boden, and physician lead ambassador Dr. Don Harterre to name just a few. On top of these positions are a long list of tremendous volunteers who aid in improving the community based health care system that the GPHSF aims to put forth.

Along with its fundraising efforts, the GPHSF also works behind the scenes in our community in creating and fostering a team like atmosphere with every branch of healthcare. From nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and mental health clinicians, to medical secretaries, dieticians, and family physicians, they help combine the expertise of a team working together to provide you with the right care, when you need it, same day or at a time convenient to you.

This overall team effort has been helping to make things better in our community for years now and the GPHSF is actually the first foundation in Canada to support such a family health care team.

One of the GPHSF's major events held yearly is the Peterborough Speaker Series. This year's event, titled Fire Starters, is taking place on April 16th at Market Hall. Previously the GPHSF has also been a part of the Festival of Trees and the Freedom 55 Financial charity golf tournament.

A few of the initiatives and items that the GPHSF has been a major part in assisting with are the incredible Partners in Pregnancy clinic, which works with many women in our community going through various phases of pregnancy. They have also recently raised money to purchase ophthalmology equipment, 17 automated external defibrillators, 40 pulse oximeters, and 20 patient transport chairs that are all located across the city helping our healthcare team put forth the greatest care possible.

 

For more information on GPHSF, and to find out about volunteer opportunities, go to:
Website: Gphsf.ca
Twitter: @Gphsf
Facebook: Gphsf
Phone: 705.740.8074

For more on Downtown Peterborough and the Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), click here.

By Aaron Elliott