Local Restaurant Owner Offering 900 Meals to Those In Need for Christmas Day

The Original Spaghetti House Pizzeria is offering 900 hot lunches to anyone in need on Christmas Day according to a Facebook post by owner Ilir Sino posted on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of Ilir Sino.

“I will like to thank all 900 people who share my invitation for Christmas Day for free hot lunch for people in need,” said Sino. “I'm blessed to be part of this community and I will do anything to help the people of this community.”

The Original Spaghetti House Pizzeria is located at 512 George St. S. off the corner of Lansdowne Street. The hot lunches will be available for carryout from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sino is no stranger to philanthropy as he has donated $1,500 to Alternatives Community Program Services Peterborough last month. He has also donated to local sports teams and other charities.

“This is the first time we invite our friends to be part of our family for Christmas but it will not be the last,” remarked Sino.

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

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Peterborough Animal Care Centre Receives Cabinet Donation From Varcroft & Bianco

The Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) has received cabinet donations for the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre’s (PACC) staff office space and Spay & Neuter clinic courtesy of Varcroft & Bianco announced on Wednesday.

The animal care centre is located at 1999 Technology Drive, with plans for completion and occupancy targeted for early 2023. Photo courtesy of PHS.

“Everyone at our shop has pets and understands the important role the Peterborough Humane Society plays in the health and well-being of the animals in our community,” said Brad Bates of Varcroft & Bianco. “We thought we could use our expertise and manufacturing facility to help out where we can with what we do best.”

“We are extremely grateful for the outpouring of resources and support our community has put into this new Centre. Varcroft & Bianco were very generous to not only donate the custom-made cabinetry but also to put their incredible talent and efforts into the space through the design, build and installation,” said Shawn Morey, PHS executive director. “These kitchens will service our staff, community members, as well as organizations that will utilize our Humane Education & Multipurpose Room, which will be available to the public for rentals.”

The donation is valued at around $25,000 and Varcroft & Bianco is being identified as a community partner within the PACC.

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Central Smith Creamery's Second "Fill the Truck" Campaign Donates 14,000 Pounds of Food and Over $10,000 for Kawartha Food Share

Year two of Central Smith Creamery’s “Fill the Truck” campaign built on its inaugural year, delivering roughly 14,500 pounds of food and $10,030 in cash donations for Kawartha Food Share (KFS) on Friday.

This year’s campaign nearly tripled last year’s food weight and raised more money than last year’s event. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The campaign rallied 38 businesses to collect cash and non-perishable goods as Central Smith drove their delivery trucks and collected the donated items on the same day they were delivered.

The campaign ran from Dec. 1 - 15 and beat the previous year’s goal of 5,000 pounds and $9363.50.

“Just given what's happened with the economy with food prices and all of that, I'm just amazed that we were able to be successful in our campaign,” said Jenn Scates, Central Smith Creamery co-owner. “With the work of my team and everybody contributing, it's not just one person, it's a whole bunch of elves that helped and it's just amazing.”

“It's been difficult for us to stretch our dollars as far as it once did but it's also difficult for our donors to continue to donate as much as they did in the past,” said Ashlee Aitken, KFS general manager. “We know times are tough, we know food costs are extremely high and so to see this many people donate this many items is so heartwarming this time of year and we really appreciate the support.”

The timing for the donations could not have been better for KFS as the demand for food banks goes up during the holiday season according to Aitken. She says Christmas is an added expense that not all families can afford.

“Heat and hydro bills are up, kids are home from school, there's a couple of extra meals they have set them up with there, there's just a lot of added expenses to families that are already struggling and already don't earn enough money for their families,” explained Aitken. “Every little donation goes a long way. Something like this where they're bringing in thousands of pounds of food for us, it really helps us stock the shelves at the food banks before we get into that busy crazy season.”

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Ravenwood Drive Christmas Display Invites Public For "Fill the Sleigh" Food Drive

Extravagant Christmas displays are back at the Glasbergen’s as they are inviting the public to tour their grounds and support their “Fill the Sleigh” food drive in support of St. Vincent de Paul this Friday.

Photo courtesy of Braden Glasbergen.

Their Christmas display, known as ‘Seasons on Ravenwood’ is one of four larger-than-life exhibits — with Easter, summer and Halloween as the other displays — the family does annually.

Walkways are created to guide visitors through their front lawn to view the display filled with ornaments, lights, signs and more. The family has requested everyone not to touch the decorations because of its fragility. Anyone driving by is also requested to stop and see the display to not disrupt traffic flow and for everyone’s safety.

Jenn (left) and Braden Glasbergen (right) with their Halloween ghost ship as one of thier biggest displays of the year. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Visitors are encouraged to take photos of the displays and with Santa who will make an appearance.

“We love expressing the joy of the Christmas season through lights and decorations and getting to experience visitors' faces when they come to visit makes it worthwhile,” said Braden Glasbergen. “Everyone shows their love of the displays in different ways, the excitement that the little ones share when they run towards the lights or point out Santa on the balcony to the seniors who slow down in their cars and smile at the nutcrackers and reindeer.”

The family is collecting non-perishable goods for St. Vincent de Paul and encourages anyone who visits to bring items to their drop-off box.

“Sharing our seasons with the community and having the community share back with their food donations allows the feeling to go full circle, helping others while having some fun,” said Glasbergen.

The Glasbergen’s display is on 1723 Ravenwood Dr. and is open to the public from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday.

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Fleming Student Association Makes Multi-Million Dollar Donation to Support Student-Life

Fleming College’s Student Administrative Council (SAC) located at the Sutherland Campus in Peterborough has donated $3,415,500 to the College announced Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

The funding was announced during a ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 7. The donation comes from funds which were designated for transportation and programming enhancements that SAC saved from student fees.

“Fleming College’s Student Administrative Council continues to demonstrate student leadership,” said Maureen Adamson, Fleming College president. “This significant gift will make a difference in the lives of students for generations to come. We appreciate SAC’s ongoing commitment to supporting Fleming students.”

$2.3 million of the donation has been earmarked for an Endowment Fund in effort to create a permanent legacy at Fleming College through supporting transportation initiatives and food security programs that directly impact student life.  

More than $2 million of the contribution supports bursaries that help alleviate direct student transit costs, and create micro-bursaries for students facing emergency or hardship situations and unmet critical needs. $1 million will support capital enhancements to transportation at the Peterborough campus, and these funds will go directly to improving the quality of student transit spaces and amenities. The remaining funds will support food security projects that directly help students who are struggling with food insecurity.

Fleming SAC is a non-profit corporation that advocates for the social and political needs of students at the college. The SAC Board of Directors represent the collective voice on campus and implements programming that addresses the needs of students. 

“Fleming SAC is always there for students, and we have a deep history of supporting students while on campus,” says Joel Willett, SAC general manager. “This donation to the college is important to SAC and our Board as it signifies our existing and future commitment to students.” 

For more information visit the Fleming College website.

Kawartha Contractors Dream Big Campaign Fundraises For SickKids Foundation

Cutting Edge Landscaping and Excavating and Harrison Truck Centre are raising money for the SickKids Foundation through the second annual ‘Kawartha Contractors Dream Big Campaign,’ raising over $17,000 so far.

This is the second year of this campaign which is fundraising to ‘(build) a new SickKids that’s even safer for every child in our community,’ according to the campaign page.

The Kawartha Contractor Dream Big Campaign has raised 89 per cent of their $20,000 goal with $17,700.

Recognized donations include Lakeside Mobile Tire Inc., Monaghan Lumber Specialties and more.

“… last year we spent many weeks at SickKids Children’s Hospital following an accident with our daughter Kacie. I can’t begin to describe what an amazing place SickKids is and how lucky we are to have it available to us when in the time of need. With that said I am happy to be able to donate to such a great cause through this campaign,” said Ryan Kelly (RK Designs), thanking both Cutting Edge and Fawcett Excavating LTD.

Donations can be made to the Kawartha Contractor Dream Big Campaign here.

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Children's Gift Wishes Being Granted Through 33rd Annual Santa's Sleigh Program

The Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation (KHCAS) has launched its 33rd annual Santa’s Sleigh program encouraging the community to grant 850 children’s Christmas wish lists at Walmart (Chemong location) announced Thursday.

Ireland Reid, 6, telling Santa Claus what she wanted for Christmas during the launch of Santa’s Sleigh at Walmart. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The children affiliated with the charity wrote their gift lists on cards to be hung on a Christmas tree at Walmart. Anyone can grab the card, purchase the gift and donate it in a dropbox shaped like Santa’s sleigh.

Money, gift cards and presents not on wish lists are encouraged and accepted for the program as alternate ways to help.

"They (the children) have to be involved in the local Children's Aid Society and so they would have been referred there because there is something going on in their family that they need help with so the Children's Aid Society is involved and trying to help that family and we wanted to give themselves a boost this Christmas,” said Carrie Truman, KHCAS executive director.

The campaign runs from Nov. 24 to Dec. 5 at noon at Walmart (Chemong Road location).

Members of the Peterborough Lions Club, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Association of REALTORS and Corus Entertainment have volunteered to help add new cards to the tree and collect items from donors.

Click here to make an online monetary donation to the charity.

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Auto Connect Donations $50,000 Towards Peterborough Animal Care Centre

The Peterborough Animal Care Centre (PACC) is one step closer to being complete as the Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) has received a $50,000 donation from Auto Connect Sales Inc. announced on Thursday.

The Peterborough Animal Care Centre will be over 24,000 square feet and include a state-of-the art Animal Adoption & Education Centre, Publicly Accessible & HighVolume Spay/Neuter Clinic and a Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre. Plans for completion and occupancy of the new Centre are targeted for year end, 2022. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Humane Society.

Cheryl Watson and Martin Tempelman, Auto Connect owners have contributed to several organizations including Kawartha Food Share, One Roof, 4 Paws and the Peterborough Humane Society.

“When we heard of this new Centre coming to Peterborough, we knew it would be important to the community and knew we wanted to be a part of it.” said Watson. “We are also excited to help with the big move, we will be using our cargo vans to help transport the animals to their new home. Our whole team wants to be involved.”

“Our continued partnership with Auto Connect has been extremely important in the success of our current shelter as well as our new Centre,” said Shawn Morey, PHS executive director. “We are also excited to give back too; this new Centre will revolutionize animal wellness in Peterborough and beyond. It is truly a Centre built for the community, by the community.”

In recognition of the donation, the roundabout at the entrance of the Centre and the front parking lot will be named in recognition of Auto Connect and be identified on the Donor Wall located in PACC’s lobby.

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Central Smith Creamery Running Second Annual "Fill The Truck" Food Drive For Kawartha Food Share

Central Smith Creamery is loading up for Kawartha Food Share as they are running their second annual ‘Fill the Truck’ campaign, collecting non-perishable goods for Kawartha Food Share from Dec. 1 - 15.

between 2017 and 2018, Around 14.5 per cent of Peterborough residents lived with food insecurity according to the Peterborough Food Action Network. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The campaign fills its trucks with donations instead of ice cream as they challenge community members, businesses schools and organizations to help them collect goods.

Anyone can drop off any non-perishable goods at any participating location in the Peterborough and surrounding area including Central Smith.

On Dec. 16, the Selwyn-based business collects the goods from each drop-off spot and delivers them to Kawartha Food Share.

The following is a list of participating businesses so far:

• Suzi Home Maker

• Sullivan’s General Store

• Holiday Inn

• Ferndale Bible Church

• Kingdon Timber Mart

• Kawartha Orthodontics

• Applewood Retirement Residence

• Dentistry on Sherbrook

• Peterborough KIA

• Kawartha Buttertart Factory

• McWilliams Moving & Storage Ltd.

• Hospice Peterborough

• Home Hardware Building Centre

• Scotiabank

• The Publican House

• Lakefield Herald

• Crestwood Secondary School

• Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber

• Style Boutique

Last year, the campaign collected over 5,000 lbs. of food and almost $10,000 in cash donations.

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East Peterborough Lions Club Great Turkey Exchange To Help Families in Need This Christmas

The East Peterborough Lions Club is seeking community donations of turkeys and hams through their ‘Great Turkey Exchange’ this Christmas; collecting and distributing them for families in need announced Wednesday.

The Great Turkey Exchange operated from 2009 until 2020, taking a hiatus in 2021 after supply chain shortages made it difficult to get donations.

Over its history, the program has delivered the main course for 17,000 Christmas dinners in the Peterborough area.

“Our club has helped out by delivering turkeys to groups and we saw how grateful people are to have strangers help feed their families,” says Frank Hewitt, East Peterborough Lions Club service chair. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to resuscitate the program and fill such a great need in our community.”

The Lions say turkey and hams donated to the program typically come from individuals and businesses who recognize both the sentimental and nutritional value of a traditional Christmas meal. The community can help by donating turkeys and hams, or cash donations to purchase these items.

Donations can be dropped off at Kawartha Food Share located at 665 Neal Dr. or picked up by emailing your address to greatturkeyexchange@gmail.com.

For families who are unable to afford a turkey or a ham this holiday season, email greatturkeyexchange@gmail.com and ask to be put on the donation list.

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