Local Man Collects Donated Lacrosse Equipment For Local Clubs and Abroad

After gathering over 1,200 pounds of community-donated lacrosse gear, John Davis Jr. is giving the equipment to local clubs and underprivileged Ugandan children this fall.

Anything deemed unusable has been discarded from being donated. Photo Courtesy of John Davis Jr.

Davis Jr. has collected gear since the start of the pandemic in the spring of last year through a Facebook campaign. Sticks, helmets, gloves, shoes and more are many of the things given to the cause.

Peterborough, the rest of Ontario and Quebec have donated their gear to Davis Jr. in honour of the cause. The Peterborough Minor Lacrosse Association and Peterborough Lakers have given two sets of home and away jerseys as part of the collection.

The equipment will go to the Uganda Lacrosse Foundation to provide underprivileged Ugandan youth to have access to play lacrosse. Any leftover gear that will not be sent overseas will be donated to local clubs and organizations according to Davis Jr.

“I intend on reaching out to different communities who need equipment for their house leagues,” he said. “I probably have 1,200 to 1,300 pounds of gear.”

Majority of the gear intended for Uganda will be field lacrosse equipment as opposed to box lacrosse. Photo Courtesy of John Davis Jr.

The Davis family have been born with lacrosse in their blood. Davis Jr. is the son of Peterborough Sports Hall of Fame inductee Johnny “Shooter” Davis —who has the Major Series Lacrosse playoff MVP trophy named after him — who won the Mann Cup in his rookie year in 1966.

John Davis Jr. (pictured) is a contributing writer for the New Jersey-based lacrosse website, crossecheck.com. Photo Courtesy of John Davis Jr.

Though Davis Jr. opted not to play professional lacrosse, his desire and passion for the game remained. He got the idea of helping Uganda lacrosse through contacts he made working as a writer for crossecheck.com.

After meeting with Ugandan players and Jaffari Makanda Ibrahim, president of the Ugandan Lacrosse Network and hearing their stories, inspired Davis Jr. to help a campaign with the University of Michigan.

Johnny “Shooter” Davis (pictured) has won two consecutive playoff MVP awards in 1966-67. Photo Courtesy of John Davis Jr.

Davis Jr. has been grateful for the generosity of the communities that have supported his cause since he started it last year.

“The people are just unbelievable, it’s been endless,” he explained. “I had to put a stop on equipment because of how much I’ve been getting.”

The lacrosse writer would have people drop off donated gear at his house or he would come to pick it up himself when people wanted to donate. Lacrosse sticks are something he will always accept and wants to send 50 sticks in the fall. He noted that he has yet to receive any goalie sticks.

A GoFundMe organized by the University of Michigan has been launched to pay for the shipping costs of the gear to Uganda. Click here if you would like to donate.

“Lacrosse is in my blood,” said Davis Jr. “Peterborough is the lacrosse capital, there’s no doubt about it.”

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Showplace Launches New Initiative to Raise Funds for Renovations

Showplace Performance Centre is getting a new look after being open for 25 years.

Linda Kash - Ambassador, Pat Hooper - Champion, Beth McMaster - Champion, Megan Murphy - Ambassador. Photo Courtesy of Showplace.

The Take a Seat for Act II project is underway and aims to replace the tired seats that Showplace reports millions of spectators have sat in.

This initiative is led by Showplace Champions Pat Hooper and Beth McMaster and Ambassadors Linda Kash and Megan Murphy and hopes to allow community members to enjoy a space where music, live theatre and professional presentations will come to life for many years to come.

A donation of $1000 will allow donors to have their name or the name of someone they would like to honour on a seat. Donations will also go towards floor replacement, lighting and electrical work and painting.

Donations and seat purchases can be made by calling the box office at 705-742-7469 or by clicking here.

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Kawartha Food Share Receives $5,000 For Reliable Emergency Food Sources

The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Association of REALTORS (PKAR) has donated $5,000 to Kawartha Food Share (KFS) for reliable access to emergency food sources Monday morning.

Ashlee Aitken (left), Kawartha Food Share General Manager and Jon Maxwell (right), PKAR President at the Kawartha Food Share facility with the cheque presentation of $5,000 towards reliable emergency food sources. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The donation will help to fight food insecurity in the community through the KFS programs that help to feed over 8,900 men, women and children each month.

Jon Maxwell, PKAR President brought the $5,000 cheque to Ashlee Aitken, KFS general manager at their facility at Neal Drive.

Aitken says food donations typically diminish over the summer since people typically associate giving with the holidays. KFS receiving this money comes as a nice and welcomed surprise.

“(The money) will all go towards food purchasing,” she said. “This week, we’ll get that money spent and get it to the food banks.”

The $5,000 donation gives KFS $30,000 of purchasing power according to Aitken. Food purchased includes tuna, pasta sauce, canned soup and canned vegetables.

The money spent on food will go towards four meal programs, four City food banks, six housing projects, seven county food banks and over 20 food cupboards across the City & County of Peterborough. Last year their warehouse distributed over $5 million worth of food and emergency care needs.

“As an association, we love to give back to the community that we’re part of”, said Maxwell. “There are so many families struggling to make ends meet. It’s just a great feeling to give back and be part of the solution.”

KFS’s first truck was purchased with the help of a PKAR donation over seven years ago.

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Peterborough's Walk About Clown Spreads Smiles Upon the City

Carolyn Collins has been dubbed Peterborough’s Walk About Clown and is spreading smiles - and donations - to the community.

Photo Courtesy of David Bui.

When Collins began to sense that a close friend of hers was struggling with the ongoing lockdown, she took it upon herself to cheer her up.

Though she is retired, Collins worked as a clown in the past. She found her best clown outfit and took to the sidewalk in hopes that walking past her friend’s window would put a smile on her face. During the short five-minute walk, she got more attention than anticipated.

“I had at least a dozen vehicles honking and waving at me,” she said. “So I thought I should keep it going.”

Collins now sports fun outfits and hula hoop tricks on the corner of Cherryhill Road and Brealey Drive every weeknight from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. dependent on the weather.

She also leaves encouraging chalk messages on sidewalks and posters on nearby posts.

Photo Courtesy of David Bui.

“The smiles are the best part,” she says.

Fans of Collins have given her money though she does not keep it for herself.

“I’ve decided any money I’m given will go to charity,” she explained. “I was just able to drop off $365 to Community Living in Peterborough. The way I see it, somebody else needs the money more.”

She has now begun collecting money for Five Counties Children’s Centre and has decided every month she will donate to a different charity.

While clowning around is raising money for various charities around the city, Collins says she does it is to spread joy.

“One smile turns into two. Two turns into four and next thing you know we have a million smiles.”

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Local Peterborough Businesses Donate Canada Day Sales For Indigenous Issues

Peterborough businesses have donated proceeds during Canada Day and the following weekend in support of Indigenous causes.

Mohawk children cheering for Team Haudenosaunee at the 2019 World U19 Women's Field Lacrosse Championships at Justin Chiu Stadium at Trent University in Peterborough. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Planet, Silver Bean Café, KitCoffee, The Night Kitchen, Le Petit Bar and St. Veronus were participating restaurants that have donated a portion of their earnings made on Canada Day or the following weekend.

The inspiration came after the trending hashtag #CancelCanadaDay surfaced as a part of truth and reconciliation for Indigenous people. Community members would not celebrate the country’s anniversary and reflected Canada’s involvement of Residental Schools’ treatment towards Indigenous people until the 1980’s.

The Planet and Silver Bean Café have donated 25 per cent of their Canada Day proceeds to Legacy of Hope Foundation; an Indigenous charity to educate and create awareness and understanding about the Residental School System according to their website.

“The recent news of more mass graves being discovered at residential schools is so upsetting,” said The Planet on a Facebook post. “We can't change the past but we can work towards a better future.”

Mohawk children ran across the stands flying the Six Nations flag after every Team Haudenosaunee goal. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

KitCoffee is donating all its Canada Day profits to the Indian Residential School Survivor Society (IRSSS); an organization that provides services to Indian Residental School Survivors.

Le Petit Bar and St. Veronus are donating 15 percent of all their weekend sales towards IRSSS. In addition to them, The Night Kitchen donated all their Tuesday proceeds to Mnoominkewin festival held in Curve Lake during the month of September.

Donations to Legacy of Hope Foundation and IRSSS can be made on their official websites.

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Local Church Unveils Community Garden For Food Insecurity Awareness

All Saints' Anglican Church unveiled their community vegetable garden where their crops will be donated to several local communities and organizations to spread food insecurity awareness on Monday.

Reverend Suzanna McMillan (left) and Reverend Samantha Caravan (right) in front of one of five vegetable garden boxes that will continually grow crops for local communities. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Located at the south end of the church, the All Saints’ Peterborough Community Garden will supply vegetables to organizations such as Food Not Bombs, Kawartha Food Share, Prince of Wales School’s breakfast program and YWCA Nourish.

“We obviously love to distribute fresh foods to our member agencies so the fact that they’ve taken this to the next level and are willing to support their families with healthy nutritious food items, it’s so great,” said Ashlee Aitken, Kawartha Food Share general manager.

The garden was built not only as a way to help the community but inspire others to help fight against food insecurity and start their own initiative. Reverend Samantha Caravan said the church believes in food equity and that no one should have to worry about having food on their plate every day.

“We really want to engage with people to help them grow their own food in their own backyards,” she said. “It’s not about just filling empty bellies, it’s really building a relationship with people who live and work in this neighbourhood.”

McMillan helped plant, water, weed and caretake the garden since it was created in early June. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The garden was dedicated to Reverend Suzanne McMillan who serves as the church’s diaconate for over 15 years. The honour came as a surprise to McMillan when Caravan revealed the plaque to the public.

“The priest beside me (Caravan) is filled with wonderful surprises like this. Honouring the people for the work they do,” she said. “I was delighted but very surprised.”

“Suzanne has been the driving force around here for justice issues,” said Caravan. “With her energy and time, we wanted to honour that commitment to her fellow people with this.”

The five garden boxes are 6x25x3 inches in length. Rain barrels are used to help maintain the gardens to offset the cost of water. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The gardens were planted in the first week of June and contain crops such as onions, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, squash and lettuce. The church plans to grow enough tomatoes to hold canning sessions for community distribution.

The church plans to continually use the gardens to crops as long as possible for community distribution.

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United Way Delivering “Day of Caring” Donations For Students and Shelters

Local shelters and students will receive more than 100 kits each donated by the community and collected by United Way’s “Day of Caring” announced on Wednesday.

School supplies such as backpacks, pencil crayons, markers, notebooks, paper and more were school supply items donated to the United Way. Photo Courtesy of United Way.

More than 120 local residents donated 275 kits worth of items (135 for local shelters and 139 for students) at the United Way office in downtown Peterborough last Wednesday. Brant Office Supply contributed more than 200 facemasks to be included in all kits. 

Personal hygiene and care product kits are for the local shelters. Backpacks filled with school supplies are for the students of the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board and Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board as part of the United Way’s “Backpacks For Kids” program.

The community collection drive was a departure from past “Day of Caring” events that had volunteers working on local projects and instead focused on meeting the immediate needs of those in our community who are financially insecure, precariously housed or homeless. 

Toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, body wash, sanitizer, shampoo, feminine hygiene products, bandages and more were in the personal care kits. Photo Courtesy of United Way.

Jim Russell, district C.E.O. was overcome with pride at being part of such a generous and giving community.

“To hear stories from so many people as to what inspired them to give to this initiative really served to bring home to me that we are lucky to live, work and play in such an empathetic and caring community,” he said. “One young girl heard the call to action on the news and spent her allowance to create a kit… … She said that when she first came to Peterborough, she received a backpack through her school and will never forget how proud and lucky that made her feel so was excited for the chance to pay it forward.”

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Local Business Owner Makes Large Donation to Humane Society

Peter Blodgett, Darling Insurance owner has donated $100,000 to the Peterborough Humane Society’s construction of their new animal care centre according to a press release on Thursday.

Peter Blodgett sits with his dog Lexie. Blodgett owns Darling Insurance in the Peterborough, Lakefield and Omemee locations. Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Humane Society.

The building is located at 1999 Technology Dr. in Peterborough where construction began in May.

"Truthfully, I'm allergic to all animals, but I have been involved in the farm community throughout my life and have a great appreciation for animals big and small." Peter shares "I've been observing the work of the Peterborough Humane Society and the positive impact they are making in our community over the past few years and wanted to get behind their mission.”

Blodgett, President of Darling Insurance, has made a generous gift of $100K to the Our Pet Project fundraising campaign for the Peterborough Animal Care Centre, the Peterborough Humane Society’s innovative animal wellness facility which broke ground at 1999 Technology Dr. last month.

Blodgett is well known for supporting charitable causes in the community. He is a founding member of “Loonies on the Street” and has helped raise nearly $2 million dollars for Kawartha Food Share over the past 20 years. He has also served on many boards, including Peterborough Musicfest and chairing Fairhaven long-term care home’s capital campaign.

Blodgett has been a long-standing supporter of charities as he is a founding member of “Loonies on the Street” and has helped raise over $2 million for Kawartha Food Share in the past 20 years. He has been board member for several organizations including Peterborough Musicfest and Capital Campaign for Fairhaven.

“Peter has been a wonderful friend and supporter of the Peterborough Humane Society for years but this recent donation truly has us humbled,” says Shawn Morey, PHS Executive Director. “The fact that he recognizes the value of our new Centre and what it will do for Peterborough & the Kawarthas is phenomenal. It’s individuals like Peter who make this community as strong as it is.”

In recognition of the donation, the lounge in the Adoption Centre Lobby of the new Centre will be named the “Peter D. Blodgett Darling Insurance Lounge.”

This contribution has now totalled $7.6 million of the $10 million fundraising goal.

For more information or to donate to the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre, visit www.ourpetproject.ca.

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Peterborough's Generosity Fuels Food Drive By Kawartha Food Share

The bins were filling up with donated goods as Kawartha Food Share (KFS) held its month-long county-wide food drive at Morello’s Independent Grocer on Friday.

Customers were quickly filling up the donation bins at Morello’s Independent Grocer at Willowcreek Plaza. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The food drive will restock food banks across the county that saw higher demand for food during the pandemic according to Ashlee Aitken, KFS general manager.

The event is one of five stops that will take place during the month of June in five different cities in Peterborough County. All proceeds donated at Morello’s will be donated to the Apsley food bank which lost Sayer’s Foods last December to a fire.

The other food drives will take place in Bridgenorth, Buckhorn, Havelock and Lakefield every Saturday of the month. All items donated will be circulated in their town’s respective food banks.

Each food drive is being from from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith and a few volunteers were present to collect food and cash donations and give away free items such as reusable bags and water bottles.

“We’ve had a number of people who’ve come and said they changed their day just so they can come out and make a donation to Kawartha Food Share today,” said Smith. “It’s fabulous to see the generosity in our community. So many people looking out for their neighbours, it’s just wonderful.”

Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith helped Kawartha Food Share last November in their “Winter is Coming Food Drive” which raised almost $40,000 in cash and food donations. Photo by David Tuan Bui

Morello’s donated $500 to the campaign according to one of Smith’s volunteers. The grocery store had prepackaged food bank bags available for purchase for either $10 or $20.

Several bins were already full of donated goods by the first half-hour of the food drive according to Smith.

Food Bank Bags were piled at the store’s entrance to be purchased and donated to Kawartha Food Share. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

KFS distributes 150,000-200,000 pounds of food in a month which feeds over 9,000 individuals.

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Local Man Gives Generous Donation to Build Peterborough Animal Care Centre

Glenn Stonehouse has made a generous gift of $300K to the fundraising campaign for the Peterborough Animal Care Centre on Monday.

Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Humane Society.

The building is the Peterborough Humane Society’s innovative animal wellness facility designed for our community set to break ground in 2021.

Stonehouse, owner and president of Wildfire Golf Club and One Fine Food, has made a generous gift of $300,000 to the fundraising campaign for the new centre. The local business owner shared that his philanthropic focus always comes back to two key causes, underprivileged children and animals.

“A couple of years back, I had the opportunity to be involved with the Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) learning about their goals and development in animal wellness,” said Stonehouse. “Through these discussions, I got a close view of the inner workings of PHS and the great work the organization is doing in our community, which is why I was excited to be a part of this very important build”.

A project of future kennels for the Peterborough Animal Care Centre. Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Humane Society.

Growing up on the family farm in Owen Sound, Glenn developed a deep love and respect for animals early on. He always had dogs in his life from working dogs on the farm, show dogs and as companions. Glenn came to the Peterborough area 25 years ago when he bought a cottage on Stony Lake and fell in love with the area.

“We’re simply blown away by Glenn’s generosity. His commitment to the health and wellness of our community and the animals within it is going to make a huge impact on the future of animal wellness,” said Shawn Morey, Peterborough Humane Society’s executive director. “In recognition of Stonehouse’s gift, the Dog Adoption Program at the new Centre will be named the Glenn Allan Stonehouse Dog Adoption Program. Thanks to Stonehouse’s support, while dogs are waiting to find their forever families, they will benefit from top-level care during their time at the Centre.”

Stonehouse walks his dog through his 6,800-yard golf course, the Wildfire Golf Club in Lakefield. Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Humane Society.

The dog kennels at the new centre will not only be larger but also have indoor/outdoor access, providing the dogs with more space and freedom to enjoy outdoor and indoor spaces as they choose.

The kennels will be grouped in pods to reduce noise and stress upon the dogs. Sliding guillotine doors will allow the kennels to double in size, should the need arise. Beyond improved kennel space, the dogs will benefit from access to greater opportunities for enrichment and socialization.

While Glenn’s generous gift brings PHS closer to its goal, the Peterborough Humane Society still needs support to cross the finish line and build its new Centre. Fundraising for the new centre has raised $7.5 million of the $10 million goal since the donation.

Community members interested in making their own impact on the future of animal wellness and help build the new Animal Care Centre are encouraged to visit ourpetproject.ca and contact Alex Tindale.

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