Trent University Raises Over $150,000 for United Way

Trent University faculty, staff and retirees have raised a record-breaking $150,936 for the 2020/21 annual United Way campaign for community organizations and services in need announced Thursday.

Photo Courtesy of Trent University.

The campaign launched virtually in October as The United Way committee was thrilled with the result and donations from the fundraiser.

“The pandemic created a crisis for the United Way: community need surged while fundraising activities became enormously more difficult,” says Dr. Marcus Harvey, United Way Peterborough campaign chair. “Trent’s response was crucial to this year’s campaign. For people who rely on the services of United Way Partner Agencies, the generosity of the Trent community can be life-changing.”

Photo Courtesy of Trent University.

Funding will go to various initiatives including 325 counselling sessions; housing supports for 200 people; spaces for 200 women and gender diverse individuals in our community to access social supports to build self esteem, manage stress and navigate healthy relationships; court advocacy and service navigation for 100 women; as well as supporting a Peterborough agency the ability to support nine people with barriers to traditional employment and who have experienced homelessness.

“Each year, Trent faculty and staff come together to support the United Way and our local communities,” says Julie Davis, vice president of External Relations and Development at Trent. “This year was a particularly challenging for many as we navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s been inspiring to see the generosity of our Trent community in support of the United Way, their partner agencies, and the people who rely on these vital supports and services – contributing to the largest gift to the United Way in Trent’s history.”

“Through the generosity of Trent University, the United Way and partner agencies successfully supported over 800 community members this year,” adds Jim Russell, CEO, United Way of Peterborough & District. “With thanks to Trent’s generosity community members struggling with mental health, emotional wellbeing, employment and housing received the support they vitally needed. We are truly grateful to the Trent University community.”

Trent has been supporting the United Way since 1965, raising over $2 million during that span. The campus has been Peterborough’s largest workplace partner in the Peterborough region.

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Splash Challenge at Peterborough Lift Locks For Easter Seals Fundraiser

It will be tough to top this water challenge!

Wayne Harding, Rotary Club of Peterborough president, his son Jackson Harding, Easter Seals ambassador Mitchell McCall and brother Eli McCall got blasted with a fire hose twice while paddling in the canal below the Lift Locks on Monday afternoon.

The soaking was part of the Carl Oake Rotary Splash Challenge encouraging Peterborough families to film or photograph aquatic activities such as water balloon fights, pool dives or anything to get wet. It began back on May 17.

The challenge doubles as a fundraiser where all proceeds will go towards Rotary projects in Peterborough and Easter Seals.

The challenge started on May 14 and runs until June 19. Photo By David Tuan Bui

“The needs of the community don’t go away, in fact, they probably increase as we all know,” said Rick Storey, Rotary Club of Peterborough. “This has been good to have some fun, having some smiles and we will raise some money for Easter Seals and Rotary Club which is fantastic.”

Rick Storey (left) with Peterborough Fire Services, the latter provided the firehose to spray the canoers. Storey did not get soaked during the event. Photo By David Tuan Bui

The challenge replaced the 35th annual Carl Oake Rotary Swimathon typically held at the Balsillie Family YMCA pool every February. It could not be held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over $1.2 million has been raised during the 35-year span helping Rotary projects such as the Habitat for Humanity Youth Program, Homeward Bound Program, Family Day at Del Crary Park and Strong Kids program at the YMCA.

Mitchell McCall (left) and Eli McCall (right) were one of two canoes that went through the fire hose provided by Peterborough Fire Services. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This fundraiser will help aid Easter Seals since their annual Peterborough Easter Seals telethon was postponed from June 13 to Sept. 26 because of the pandemic that was announced on June 4.

Wayne Harding (left) and Jackson Harding (right)

Challenges will be accepted until this Saturday for anyone willing to participate by using the hashtag #CarlOakeRotarySplashChallenge on social media.

Donations can be made online at the Rotary Club’s official website.

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Online Charity Event Concerning Children's Mental Health During Pandemic

Local vlogger and content creator Michelle Ferreri will hold a free online fundraiser to support children's mental health during the pandemic announced on Wednesday.

Michelle Ferrari currently has over 24,000 followers on her Facebook Page. Photo Courtesy of Michelle Ferrari.

The event, “A Virtual Conversation On Youth Mental Health and the Current Pandemic Crisis,” featuring child psychiatrist Dr. Jean Clinton is scheduled for June 18 from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

It helps parents with tips and tools to help themselves and their children navigate through the pandemic and mental health crisis.

All proceeds will go towards Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF) as the event urges anyone to donate what they can for children’s mental health.

Dr. Jean Clinton is a Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University. Photo Courtesy of Michelle Ferreri.

The announcement was made after the Government of Ontario announced that there would be no return to in-class school prior to September due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Questions can be submitted prior to the event at hello@michelleferreri.com. The event will be live-streamed on her official Facebook page and will be available on Ferreri’s official website after the event.

If you would like to donate towards the cause, you can visit https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/health-services-foundation/campaign/michelle-ferreri-presents-dr-jean-clinton/. The goal is set at $5,000.

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PTBOCanada Donates Sign Wars Funds to Children's Foundation

The Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation (KHCF) received a cheque of $6,360 from PTBOCanada on Thursday morning.

Deb Aben (left) recieves the cheque of $6,360 from PTBOCanada owner Kirtus Evoy (middle) and Pete Dalliday (right). Photo by David Tuan Bui

The funds came from the Peterborough Sign Wars campaign PTBOCanada ran in late April, selling “Meet me in Aisle 15” t-shirts.

The PTBOCanada team including owner Kirtus Evoy, Fresh Radio 100.5’s Pete Dalliday and editor David Tuan Bui arrived at the charity to donate the proceeds.

Fresh Radio and The Wolf were one of several businesses that were highly active in the #PTBOSignWars. File Photo.

Deb Aben, Executive Producer of KHCF was there to accept the money on behalf of the charity and could not be happier to receive the donation.

“When the call came through was just so thrilled that it’s going towards helping kids who are in need of our community,” said “It’s going to make a huge difference this summer.”

“It was amazing to see the community come together over a quick period handing out thousands of smiles through the sign wars and raise money for a great cause,” said Evoy. “I’m proud to be part of an amazing community.”

KHCF sends kinds either for one or two weeks of summer camp every year with the exception of last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The money will go towards sending kids to summer camp and their “Soaking Up Summer” program. Developed last year, the program purchased athletic equipment, toys or anything designed for kids to play outside and be active. The campaign was created as an alternative to sending kids to day camp due to the pandemic.

“I felt I’d won the lottery,” said Aben. “How lucky these kids are to be the beneficiaries of something that engaged the community and made us smile, laugh and made us feel like a kid again.”

KHCF supports children in activities that are not government funded, provides money for families newly caring for extended family members, post-secondary bursaries and gift cards for youth transitioning to independent living who were formerly in youth care.

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Omemee Woman Gives Open Invite for Heart Health Awareness Fundraiser With Physical Activities

What started as a personal goal has developed into a worldwide movement and fundraiser for Annie Smith with the 3rd annual Annie's Pace Global Adventure (APGA) in a four-day event starting Friday.

Photo Courtesy of Annie Smith.

The event’s purpose is to raise heart health awareness, test people’s physical limits and promote activity with the motto, “Your heart is worth an hour a day.” Anyone is encouraged to do anything that gets them moving such as sports, walks or even as simple as gardening.

“Moving the body is number one,” said Smith.

Smith was diagnosed with cardiac sarcoidosis in 2016; an invisible, rare, incurable and life-threatening disease. Since the diagnosis, her physical capabilities have become limited.

Merchandise such as t-shirts and wristbands were made in past events. T-shirts have sold out but wristbands still remain available by contacting Smith. Photo Courtesy of Annie Smith.

Her campaign encourages others to post their heart stories and/or weekend activities on Smith’s Facebook or Instagram page while tagging themselves during the event.

Smith trekked 161 kilometres in 2019 through four days and 180 kilometres in 2020. This year, she will go an abridged distance on a treadmill due to her physical capabilities for Friday, Sunday and Monday. She will do a 26-kilometre walk with two friends starting from Jackson’s Park to Reaboro on Saturday.

“I don’t want it to be about me, I want it to be able to be about the people and bringing that awareness,” said Smith. “I want the world to unite for four days for heart disease awareness.”

Her inspiration came from her cardiologist Dr. Heather Ross who raised almost $1 million with Test Your Limits. She began APGA to aid in that goal for heart disease and heart failure research. Smith wants to raise $16,000 through three years where she already raised $10,875 in the first two ($5,500 in 2019 and $5,375 in 2020).

Not only has Canada partaken in the event, but it has also gained worldwide recognition including reaching countries as far as Hong Kong, Scotland, Greece, USA, Switzerland and Australia.

“I was crying the first day I started,” said Smith. I woke up and saw Hong Kong that already sent their video. It blew my mind. It was so much fun for me seeing them all doing it.”

Donations are accepted online or at Sunset Grill in Peterborough from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

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Annual Fundraiser Issues Virtual Water Challenge To Peterborough

The Carl Oake Rotary Splash Challenge launched Monday, challenging Peterborough families to flim aquatic activities such as water balloon fights, pool dives and water guns among many things to get wet.

Photo Courtesy of

The challenge replaced the 35th annual Carl Oake Rotary Swimathon typically held at the Balsillie Family YMCA pool. It could not be held due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

The fundraising challenge runs from May 17 to June 19 where proceeds go towards Easter Seals helping physically disabled children and rotary projects in Peterborough.

Participation includes sharing photos and videos on social media while using the hashtag #CarlOakeRotarySplashChallenge.

With the Rotary Victoria Day Fireworks cancelled for the second year in a row, funds to help disabled children are needed more than ever according to event organizers.

Over $1.2 million has been raised during the 35-year span helping Rotary projects such as the Habitat for Humanity Youth Program, Homeward Bound Program, Family Day at Del Crary Park and Strong Kids program at the YMCA.

On their centennial anniversary, the Rotary Club has built a shade shelter on the Rotary Greenway Trail, contributing to refurbishing transitional housing units with the YES program, and a new health centre at Camp Kawartha.

Oake’s daughter and Century 21 United Realty broker Vanessa Hogan Oake has organized the event with her firm as she takes over the partnership.

“I’m honoured to carry on this event that was started by my father,” she said.

“It’s fun and to be safe and follow the rules until everything opens up,” said Rick Storey of the Rotary Club of Peterborough. "Use your imagination, the sky is the limit, the water is the limit.”

Donations can be made online at the Rotary Club’s official website.

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#PtboSignWars T-Shirts Now Available For Order (And You Don't Have To Go To Aisle 15 To Get Them)

It has been quite the week in Peterborough, Ontario as #PtboSignWars dominated the local social media scene and won over the hearts of the community at the same time. 

The “Meet me in Aisle 15” T-shirt is a reference made by Merrett’s Home Hardware that the product sold in that aisle could ambiguously be things that could be at a party. Photo by PTBOCanada.

PTBOCanada got the ball rolling last week after posting a sign war inspired from a town in Virginia. From there, they challenged a few local businesses to fire their signs up and get the #PtboSignWars started. 

Anden Kitchen & Bath, Merrett Home Hardware Building Centre and Friendly Fires were the first three Peterborough businesses to exchange shots. Five days and hundreds of fantastic witty signs later, #PtboSignWars was making headlines across the country on social media and has motivated other cities in Canada to do the same.

Pete Dalliday of Fresh Radio played a big role in the campaign, encouraging Peterborough to participate in #ptbosignwars and helping the “Kids For Lids” fundraiser that benefitted Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Peterborough.

“After 14 months of pandemic life this was exactly what the community needed,'' he said. “Reading the signs made me laugh out loud but reading the thousands of comments from viewers and listeners was perhaps my favourite part.” 

As always, PTBOCanada is always looking to give back to the community. Following a very successful PTBOCanada “Lids For Kids” campaign, Kirtus Evoy, owner and Publisher of PTBOCanada, is pleased to announce that even more money will be raised for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Peterborough. 

Based on one of the most popular and shared sign exchanges this past week between Anden and Merrett’s, PTBOCanada is launching a limited edition #PTBOSignWars “Meet Me In Aisle 15” T-shirt. 

$10 from every T-shirt sold will go directly to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Peterborough as they will benefit from all the proceeds. Anden, Merrett and Friendly Fires have already committed to buying T-shirts for their staff and customers while Kori Malakos and Matt D’Agostini from Ricart Promotions have quickly made this idea a reality. We thank all of them for their support to kick this campaign off. 

T-Shirts can be ordered by going to ptbocanada.com/shop. Shirts can be purchased until Wednesday, May 5th at 9:00 a.m. where pickups can be done in roughly two weeks.

For more information, contact Kirtus Evoy at kirtus@ptbocanada.com.

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Community Rallies to Create Fundraiser For Dirt Bike Accident Victim

Jake MacDonald may have suffered the worst accident of his life but his community has rallied together and arranged a fundraiser for his recovery on Tuesday.

Donations as far as Alberta have come in to support MacDonald. Photo courtesy of Crissie Morrow.

The Facebook group “Let’s Help Jake MacDonald” has already raised approximately more than $1,500 with over 280 members in the group. All proceeds go towards MacDonald for any incidentals that the accident cost and to help him get back on his feet during the recovery.

Crissie and Josh Morrow, close friends and next-door neighbours created the fundraiser two days after the accident had occurred on Sunday.

“I bawled my eyes out. I couldn’t believe it,” said Crissie. “I felt like I needed to do something and I didn’t know what to do so I got talking to a bunch of my girlfriends, we talked about it and we ran from there.”

Several local businesses have donated goods for a charity auction that will take place next Friday with details to follow. Items such as gift cards, a television, purses and cups are some of the many prizes that will be auctioned.

“The response from people and a lot of local businesses in Havelock, Madoc, Marmora and other places have been phenomenal,” said Crissie. “Over 50 different items have been donated for the auction we’re having next week.”

MacDonald has been a hockey referee for minor hockey in the past four years for Havelock and Norwood. Photo courtesy of Crissie Morrow.

The 22-year old crashed face-first resulting in brain hemorrhaging and a fractured left foot while dirt biking at Cordova Lake just north of Havelock on Sunday late afternoon.

He was airlifted to Kingston General Hospital and was sedated since the accident. The Havelock resident had a successful overnight craniotomy on Wednesday.

There is no timeline on when MacDonald will make a full recovery but it could be up to a year at least according to Crissie.

“We had a Zoom call with him and his mother last night (Wednesday),” said Crissie, “He’s breathing on his own and has been responsive to touch and the voices from his family.”

MacDonald grew up playing baseball, soccer and hockey in his teenage years. Photo courtesy of Crissie Morrow.

MacDonald is a licensed mechanic and was studying to be a diesel mechanic at Centennial College in Scarborough.

He has played minor hockey for Havelock and Norwood and has refereed for the same leagues for the past four years.

All cash donations can be e-transferred to close friend Kaitlyn Carriere at k.carriere@hotmail.com. Leave a memo that the donation is for MacDonald.

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Lids for Kids Will Match More Children With More Mentors, Making PTBOCanada Proud

PTBOCanada’s new line of funky ballcaps is topping up a new fundraiser for a children’s charity that serves kids across Peterborough.

Alex Ouimet (left) and Thomas Jenkins (right) met through the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough program where the two went to a Toronto Blue Jays baseball game as their first outing in 2018. Photo Courtesy of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough.

Lids for Kids will see $10 from every hat sold go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough, an agency that matches kids with mentors to help them better cope with the challenges of growing up. The hip hats sell for $29.99 via PTBOCanada’s site and can be picked up at Ricart’s Promotions on Lansdowne Street East.

This BIG partnership celebrates #PTBOCanada proud as city residents can show off their loyalty to the city while supporting children living here.

Big Brothers Big Sisters already has 47 Little Sisters and 25 Little Brothers matched with “Bigs”, mentors who meet with them weekly, plus 22 virtual mentoring matches. Yet, another 18 girls and 22 boys are still waiting to be paired up with adults of any age.

Funds from the Lids for Kids campaign will support weekly virtual programs to keep children on the waiting list connected to the agency. So far, the staff have been running weekly trivia games and craft nights, including painting pictures and decorating pots in which they plant seeds.

PTBOCanada has five different styles to choose from to support the fundraiser. Photo Courtesy of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough.

This has been a tough year for kids, who have been cut off from their friends and their school routines, on top of sports and other activities that keep them engaged and learning. For children in vulnerable families, the strain is even harder.

Big Brothers Big Sisters has been matching up mentors and children in Peterborough since 1964, one of the first 10 agencies in Canada to do so. Like PTBOCanada, it focuses on working with local partners to bring out the best in people in this community.

Jenkins and Ouimet often travel to parks, woods and other geographical places of interest as part of their Big Brother adventures. Photo by David Tuan Bui

Recently, has the Bigs’ Board of Directors developed a new strategic plan to revitalize the organization. The organization is infused with new energy and is looking to recruit new volunteers for its mentorship programs and its new committees for fundraising, volunteer management, building, and communications.

“We have an incredible executive director and two dedicated caseworkers who are focused on the core programs that support our Littles and their families,” said Tom Jenkins, who serves as chair of the board and a Big Brother for 18 years.

“Our staff and board are united in building a brighter future for the kids who need us most.  We thank everyone who helps our kids, including Kirtus at PTBOCanada,” Jenkins continues. “We are grateful for your support and look forward to working with you in the coming weeks and years as we have big plans in our future.”

­­Big Brothers Big Sisters offers traditional matches, mentorships in local schools, and tailored programs Go Girl! and Game On! to encourage healthy lifestyle choices. Volunteers are needed for all these programs, with an emphasis on traditional matches, where the need is greatest.

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Dragon Boat Festival Celebrates 20th Anniversary With Virtual Races

It is dry land for the Dragon Boat Festival this year but organizers have created a virtual event to celebrate the 20th anniversary announced on Monday.

Each year, the Dragon Boat Festival meets at Little Lake off Crescent Street. Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival.

This year’s points-based virtual races will include activities such as 20 minutes of physical activity, a colouring contest, submitting a cheer, dressing up in registrants’ best pink outfits and many more.

Points will be awarded for participation, fundraising and/or submitting videos or photos.

The event is on June 12, with the first day of registration —can only be done online — on Thursday. Signups are free and the first three teams and individuals to register will earn bonus points.

the festival in 2019 donated $241,738.54 to the PRHC Foundation in support of breast cancer treatment and care. Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival.

Proceeds of the fundraising event go towards the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation who supports world-class breast and other cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment at Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

The money is for a new ultrasound machine for the Peterborough Breast Assessment Centre.

“We realize we have come full circle and we are so proud of the incredible impact that Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival has had since its inception,” said Gina Lee, festival chair. “The pandemic has forced us to rebuild the event and our goal is to match the $84,509.18 donation we made 20 years ago.”

This is the second consecutive year the festival will go virtual. Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival.

The festival has raised over $3.6 million to date.

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