Volunteer Peterborough Receives $12,000 Grant From The Commonwell’s L.E.A.F. Program

To help bolster local volunteering efforts, Volunteer Peterborough has received a $12,000 grant from the Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group’s Learning Engagement & Accelerator Fund (L.E.A.F.), announced on Monday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“Volunteerism faces a number of barriers, including general awareness. This program will help to match interested volunteers to opportunities in our community,” says Lois Tuffin, Volunteer Peterborough founder. “By matching the right people and skills to roles we can help build confidence and independence for prospective volunteers while creating lasting benefits for organizations who rely on volunteer support.”

Administered by The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group, the L.E.A.F. program invested $400,000 in grants this year, scaling from previous years.

“We received more than $3.7 million in funding requests this year, highlighting its crucial role in supporting communities,” said Tim Shauf, The Commonwell president. “Our L.E.A.F grants are about caring beyond us and beyond now.”

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Volunteer Peterborough Founder Given Charity Village Impact Award

Lois Tuffin, Volunteer Peterborough founder, has seen her community work pay back dividends as she received Charity Village’s Most Outstanding Individual Impact – Volunteer announced on Tuesday.

olunteer Peterborough founder Lois Tuffin networks with Joseph Hughes of Kids Against Hunger at the Chamber's Love Local Show at Lansdowne Place in September. Since launching in July 2023, VolunteerPeterborough.ca has signed up 1,524 individuals who are seeking volunteer roles and 162 organizations who rely on volunteers. It welcomes postings about non-profits and the roles they have open so volunteers can find this information in one handy location. Photo courtesy of Volunteer Peterborough.

The award recognizes her work to resurrect a match-making service in Volunteer Peterborough to help local non-profits. It celebrates the outstanding impact of a volunteer at a nonprofit or charity.

“I nominated Lois to shine a spotlight on her work with Volunteer Peterborough,” said Hannah Routly, subcommitte group member. “In just over a year, Lois and a fulsome team created a much-needed way to match volunteers with critical roles in our community. I hope this award shines light on this vital initiative and encourages others to support this work.”

Tuffin had received several nominations from Jennifer DeBues, executive director of the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough; Jayne Culbert, co-ordinator of Age-friendly Peterborough and Volunteer Peterborough’s operations co-ordinator Genevieve Ramage.

“In the past year in particular, we’ve seen how much people want to help and how willing they are to act when given an outlet,” said Tuffin. “It’s gratifying to see our team come together to create this volunteer movement.”

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Volunteer Peterborough Receives $3,250 Donation From RTOERO to Help Spread Volunteer Opportunities Through New Welcome Brochures

District 36 Peterborough of Retired Teachers of Ontario (RTOERO) has donated $3,250 to Volunteer Peterborough to help connect residents with meaningful volunteer opportunities in a cheque presentation at the Peterborough and the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce on Monday morning.

(From left to right) Kathryn Reynolds, Pat Smith, Annette Thomson, Hilda Jolley and Lois Tuffin. District 36 has about 1,300 members, serving the City of Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The funds will be used to design, print and launch welcome brochures for new residents in the region.

“As soon as people arrive in Peterborough, they're going to be handed a piece of paper that shows, 'here's how you can get introduced to your community and here's how you can contribute,’” said Lois Tuffin, Volunteer Peterborough founder. “It just saves everybody a lot of time and it's also going to help a lot of non-profits get new blood and new talent so we can do more as a community.”

The welcome brochure initiative will kick off with a launch event for realtors and other professionals who frequently engage with newcomers. The idea is to ensure the brochures effectively reach those most benefit from community involvement.

District 36 funding is part of RTOERO's annual community grants program. Since 1968, the organization has been comprised of teachers, school and board administrators, educational support staff, and college and university faculty in retirement.

“We find throughout the community what needs to happen and sometimes it's through word of mouth,” said Kathryn Reynolds, RTOERO president, District 36 Peterborough.

Districts apply for grants each year to support community projects. In 2024, RTOERO funded 31 projects for a total of $122,252.

Reynolds says that retirees and seniors often have extra time on their hands and volunteering both helps the community and keeps everyone busy.

“Many seniors have the time and inclination to volunteer, but don't know where they can contribute, especially if they're new to the community,” she explained. “Our grant will help Volunteer Peterborough raise awareness. Ultimately, this will strengthen community connections and well-being.”

Each year, a RTOERO member committee assesses each grant submission's merits. Projects touch on everything from environmental sustainability to healthy and accessible communities according to a press release. Since the inception of the community grants program 24 years ago, almost $2.1 million has been donated to more than 600 programs and projects.

“Our non-profits are vital lifelines for so many services in this community. It's hard to even fathom how many meals get delivered, how many people who are lonely get visited and arts programs thrive,” explained Tuffin. “Volunteers are the lifeblood behind all of that and they add a huge capacity to our community.”

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Meet Your Volunteer Matches With New Features and Shows

By Lois Tuffin

Already, we see a change in the volunteer landscape as more people step forward to help organizations who have sought new champions for their causes.

Volunteer Paula Greenwood shares her passion for connecting people while talking with a student at Trent University’s Volunteer Expo on Wednesday (Sept. 11). Photo by Genevieve Ramage

Since we launched VolunteerPeterborough.ca last year, an increasing number of people have jumped into working with charities that matter to them. Their enthusiasm has spread to their friends and Volunteer Peterborough continues to make their searches easier.

We felt the same energy at Trent University’s Volunteer Expo on Wednesday as students sought new interactions. At our table, many groups shared their success stories. For instance, PARN’s manager stated that half of her volunteers signed up due to her posting on our website.

Starting this month, we have added extra features to our online presence when non-profits buy certain memberships. For example, volunteer managers can now filter the list of 1,357 registered volunteers by interest and skill. From there, they simply send out messages within the platform to connect with people ready to help.

This saves them hours of time by reaching a targeted group of interested individuals. Sure, you can post to social media but only our site has the perfect audience.

Also, when new jobs get posted, email alerts go out to any volunteer who aligns with its criteria. This is offered to anyone with an enhanced or premium membership. You can get this for $25 a month and get great results.

Non-profits can still register on VolunteerPeterborough.ca without buying in. You can create a profile of your organization, then post opportunities for the best results. Think of us like Indeed where you describe roles you need to fill.

Volunteers will also discover new features when they log in. A list of opportunities that match their skills and interests will await them right in their profiles. That simplifies their ability to discover new postings without searching for them.

For those who prefer in-person connections, we have great news! Volunteer Peterborough invites residents and non-profit groups to attend two new Meet Your Match Volunteer Fairs.

After hosting a wildly successful event in the city, we decided to branch out into Cavan and Selwyn Townships. This pair of event aims to introduce more people to organizations that operate close to home and to open their eyes to how they can make a difference.

The first event takes place at the Bridgenorth Community Hall, 836 Charles Street, from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18. Next, we head out to the Cavan Community Centre from 3 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23.

Dozens of organizations have been invited to set up booths to share details about how to get involved in their causes. In both cases, visitors can drop in for free after school, before dinner or after work.

This project is generously funded by Ontario Power Generation (OPG)’s Power for Change Project. Our organization thrives on harnessing the power of individuals to make their communities better, so this is a perfect fit.

We are grateful to have OPG’s support so we can support more organizations who rely on volunteers to run their programs in Lakefield, Bridgenorth, Ennismore, Millbrook, Cavan, Bailieboro, Fraserville, Ida, Mount Pleasant, Springville and anywhere in between.

Any non-profit within the Townships is welcome to buy a booth at either event, which includes dinner. To book one today, email volunteer@volunteerpeterborough.ca.

These fairs build on the momentum created by our 160-plus agencies – with more welcome to join the movement. Watch for additional shows in other locations in 2025.

Thank you to everyone who has signed on as a supporter as we get rolling. It takes a village!

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The Inaugural 'Meet Your Match Volunteer Fair' Saw Roughly 500 People Pair With Over 40 Organizations

Volunteer Peterborough saw roughly 500 people opt to sacrifice their time for the greater good at the inaugural ‘Meet Your Match Volunteer Fair’ at the YMCA of Central East Ontario last Wednesday.

Volunteer Peterborough already has more than 1,000 volunteers and 120 organizations on VolunteerPeterborough.ca. after the Fair. Photo courtesy of Volunteer Peterborough.

The organization is a matchmaking service for prospective volunteers to pair with organizations to suit the former’s needs. It launched its online match-making portal last summer.

At the fair, the 500 volunteers explored and signed up with 41 different groups. There were 65 volunteers signed up with Musicfest, 14 people signed up to attend the Kiwanis Club's next recruitment meeting, the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra filled all the jobs on its wish list and the Turtle Trauma Centre left with three pages of names according to a press release.

From here, the group will participate in Trent University’s Volunteer Fair and is seeking funding to host Meet Your Match events in Peterborough County to assist smaller charities and rural residents.

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Meet Your Match at the Volunteer Fair at the YMCA On May 8

In celebration of National Volunteer Month, the inaugural Meet Your Match Volunteer Fair is being hosted at the YMCA of Central East Ontario on May 8.

Photo courtesy of Volunteer Peterborough.

The event is hosted by Volunteer Peterborough which creates a matchmaking service for organizations to find prospective volunteers that suit each other’s needs, interests and more.

The fair runs from noon to 4 p.m.

The organization and VolunteerPeterborough.ca were established in early September last year. Since then, 985 volunteers and 118 organizations have signed up.

Some organizations that are attending the event are:

• YMCA

• Peterborough ElderDog

• Camp Kawartha

• Victorian Order of Nurses Peterborough Victoria Haliburton (VON PVH)

• Community Care Peterborough

• Peterborough AIDS Resource Network (PARN)

• Circles of Support and Accountability

• YWCA Peterborough Haliburton

• Peterborough Folk Festival

• Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region

• Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre

• United Way Peterborough and District

• New Canadians Centre

• Telecare Distress Centre of Peterborough

• Peterborough Symphony Orchestra

• Canopy Support Services

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough

• Mapleridge Recreation Centre

• Lang Pioneer Village

• YourTV

• YES Shelter for Youth and Families

• Peterborough Humane Society

• PARD Therapeutic Riding

• Peterborough Child & Family Centres

• Fleming College Simulation Centre

• Kawartha World Issues Centre

• Ontario Public Interest Research Group Peterborough

• Peterborough Musicfest

• 4th Line Theatre

• Fowler’s Corners and Lakefield Lions Clubs

• Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC)

• Home Care Workers Co-op and Cooperative Care Alliance

• For Our Grandchildren

• PATH - Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes

• Serenity Lane Animal Sanctuary

• Trent Valley Literacy Association (TVLA)

“Volunteering is also a great way to gain new skills and experiences while impacting your community. Become part of something bigger than yourself by contributing to local and global causes,” as stated in a press release.

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Hometown PTBO: Lois Tuffin Running the Meet Your Match Volunteer Fair at the YMCA On May 8

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with Lois Tuffin about how she came to town, her favourite eats and Volunteer Peterborough's 'Meet Your Match Volunteer Fair' on May 8 at the YMCA from noon to 4 p.m.

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Volunteer Peterborough Makes Its First Hire of a Program Manager

Volunteer Peterborough had made their first hire in Geneviève Ramage to the position of program manager.

Ramage has a degree in Humanities. Since going live in September, Volunteer Peterborough has signed up almost 70 organizations and more than 350 volunteers. Photo courtesy of Volunteer Peterborough.

Ramage was most recently the Communications Coordinator with GreenUP and worked at the Night Kitchen. Ramage has been a lifelong volunteer in Nogojiwanong/Peterborough, Tkaronto/Toronto and Gurrumbilbarra/Townsville Australia areas.

“With my expertise in building sustainable symbiotic relationships and experience in coordination and communications, I look forward to building more capacity at Volunteer Peterborough,” said Ramage.

“Having an employee to liaise with both member organizations and volunteers will allow Volunteer Peterborough to move forward even more quickly,” explained Lois Tuffin, founder and steering committee chair. “We will be able to recruit more volunteers and pair them up with organizations in need.”

Telecare Peterborough has contributed funds to support this first staff position. They have two mandates: active listening for struggling people and providing opportunities for people to volunteer in their community.

“The Board of Directors was very keen to be part of a group working to increase volunteerism in community,” explained Merrill Graham-Alton, Telecare Peterborough’s coordinator. “Many Telecare volunteers volunteer elsewhere. The opportunity to volunteer in multiple places is very enriching for Telecare’s volunteers.”

Volunteer Peterborough is a matchmaking portal for volunteers and organizations to find each other. Simliar to a dating or employment site, it matches skills and availability with groups’ needs. All of these services are also available in person.

Ramage will work out of the Peterborough Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce offices at 175 George St. N. and can be reached by emailing volunteer@volunteerpeterborough.ca.

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Volunteer Peterborough Launched to Provide Matchmaking Service For Volunteers and Organizations In Peterborough Region

An online portal matchmaking service for volunteers and organizations in Volunteer Peterborough was launched during an announcement at a Volunteer Expo at Trent University on Wednesday morning.

Tuffin was inducted into the Pathway of Fame in last during its 25th annversary under the Cultural/Community Betterment category.Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Volunteer Peterborough has been in production for a year to create partnerships to create the portal and matchmaking service. There are 50 organizations already available with another 50 coming next week with 175 volunteers signed up according to founder Lois Tuffin.

“We could encourage more of the best of Peterborough,” she said. “We could give people and make it easy for them to fall into volunteering and then fall in love with volunteering. That would be a way for us to move our community better.”

The online portal works like a dating or employment site that matches skills and times with groups’ needs with the volunteers. As of Oct. 10, these services will be available in person after an arrangement with the Peterborough Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.

“Volunteers drive the success of large events,” explained Tuffin. “They also step up in times of crisis. Most of all, volunteers welcome new members into the community and deep in social relationships between people who have lived here their entire lives and those human connections have enriched so many lives. 

Tuffin continues to explain that after the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for volunteers increased which helped spark the conception of Volunteer Peterborough.

People stopped volunteering and organizers shifted so they moved volunteer managers to other roles because they didn't have anything to do,” she explained. “Some of those roles haven't been filled so agencies no longer have as much capacity to manage their volunteers so we're just trying to help them so that they can rebuild that membership and get those teams back up and running.”

The portal has volunteers for both in-person and virtual positions.

More information can be found by emailing info@volunteerpeterborough.ca or calling 705-930-2613.

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