100 Women Peterborough Gear Up to Vote on Next Charity Recipient

Three charities will pitch to 100 Women Peterborough with presentations to be the lucky funding recipient announced on a Facebook video on Tuesday.

100 Women Peterborough group raised $10,000+ for Lakefield Animal Welfare Society in 2019. File photo.

Elder Dog Peterborough, Trent University Fisheries Research Program and Habitat for Humanity will attend the organization’s meeting next Tuesday.

100 Women Peterborough is an organization where all members donate $100 each to a local charity every three months.

Participating members nominate charities for the organization to support. Three charities are then chosen randomly to present at a meeting where members vote on one charity to receive their donation.

Elder Dog Peterborough is a national organization that is dedicated to the well-being of the elderly and older dogs. They typically work with seniors that live at home with a dog.

Trent University Fisheries Research Program allows researchers to study aquatic ecosystems especially those in the Kawartha region.

Habitat for Humanity bridges a gap for low-income, working families and individuals by providing them with the opportunity to purchase their own homes in the Peterborough area.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

RONA Cobourg Donates to Mental Health Association Through Lowe's Canada Heroes Campaign

The Canadian Mental Health Association of Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) are the fundraising recipients of the Lowe’s Canada Heroes campaign announced Monday.

Employees at RONA Cobourg. Photo Courtesy of RONA Cobourg.

The national campaign is running throughout the month of September at RONA Cobourg located on Division Street.

Customers visiting participating Lowe’s, RONA or Reno-Depot stores during the campaign can make donations at the cash register in support of each store’s respective cause.

Lowe’s Canada will match 50 per cent of the funds raised by each location, up to $2,000 per store.

RONA Cobourg has chosen to support CMHA HKPR’s Four County Crisis program which supports anyone sixteen or older who are experiencing a mental health crisis.

The Four County Crisis program serves Peterborough and County, Northumberland, Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton.

“We are so grateful for the support of RONA Cobourg and Lowe’s Canada. Their donation will go directly towards life-saving measures supporting some of our community’s most vulnerable individuals and helping them on their path to recovery,” said Jack Veitch, CMHA HKPR Manager of Community Engagement and Education.

To learn more about the Lowe’s Canada Heroes campaign click here.

To learn more about CMHA HKPR click here.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Smile Cookie Campaign Supports Peterborough Regional Health Centre For Mental Health

The Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign will support mental health care that will leave no frowns for the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) announced on Thursday.

Staff and Tim Hortons owners lined up outside the main entrance at PHRC with Smile cookies and signs. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Staff and Tim Hortons owners gathered outside the PHRC main entrance to make the announcement during Tim Hortons’ 25th anniversary of the Smile Cookie Campaign.

The annual fundraiser will run from Sept. 13-19 where the "Smile” cookies can be bought for one dollar apiece where all proceeds will go to the PHRC Foundation and mental health care.

You can purchase them in-store or by online pre-order by visiting PRHC’s website, printing the form and dropping it off at a participating Tim Hortons location.

Ryan Graham, Tim Hortons owner says the Smile Cookie campaign is a great way for their stores and customers to give back to their communities.

“Over the past 25 years, the Smile Cookie campaign has raised more than $60 million for charities, hospitals and community programs across the country - with a record-breaking $110 million in 2020, he said. “We believe it’s never been more important to make sure that people in our communities have access to these services close to home.

Melinda Wall (left) has been the director of mental health services since Jan. 2019. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Melinda Wall, PHRC director of mental health services expressed her happiness that mental health is being taken more seriously than it was in years past.

"Ten to 20 years ago, you wouldn't have seen a large campaign of this scale for mental health and addictions,” she said. “I think we have come leaps and bounds and are continuing to progress and just making it more something people can talk about and feel like we can rally behind and support our community."

The money will go towards several projects to help expand mental health services since there has been a spike in mental health patient admissions during the last decade according to Wall.

“One of the projects being key is our Crisis Unit,” she explained. “We are doubled in volume in the last 10 years and the space needs to be expanded. That's our number one campaign and additional outdoor space through our courtyard for our patient unit."

Leslie Heighway has been president and CEO for the PRHC Foundation for almost a decade. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation President and CEO said she was honoured to be this year’s recipient of the Tim Hortons fundraiser.

"We're just so thrilled. You can see the amount of engagement there is today with all of our team members with mental health services and all of the Tim Hortons owners,” she explained. “We couldn't be happier that we're going to invest these funds in PRHC and mental health in particular."

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Terry Fox Run Goes Virtual For a Second Consecutive Year

The annual Terry Fox Run in Peterborough is going virtual to comply with COVID-19 protocols which will be held on Sept. 19.

Photo Courtesy of Terry Fox Run Peterborough.

Participants are invited to walk around their neighbourhood, backyard, down the street or around the block for this year’s event.

Despite the 2021 run repeating last year’s format, it was a record-breaking year for fundraising says Shannon McKinley, event organizer.

Participants have gone door to door asking for donations and often brought pledge forms to their workplaces in past years. COVID-19 has changed the format to online fundraising.

“Typically $20,000 is a good year for us and last year we were a bit worried because of the different format of the run,” said McKinley. “We actually surpassed $28,000 which we’ve never done before.”

She recalls being eager to gather again this year and was not expecting to have to host a virtual event again.

“We’re encouraging people to find new ways to participate,” said McKinley. “ You can go on a unicycle, you can rollerblade, we can think of new ways to fundraise and to participate.”

Over $4,000 has been donated to Terry Fox Peterborough. McKinley says they will not have a total amount until after the event.

The annual Terry Fox bake sale, hosted by Mckinley, is being held on Sept. 12 at 1444 Monaghan Rd. Social distancing will be in place and pre-orders are welcome. Payment is by donation with 100 per cent of the money raised going to the Terry Fox Foundation. For more information click here.

To register for the Terry Fox Run or to donate click here.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Help PTBOCanada Support Peterborough Humane Society's "Strutt Your Mutt" Fundraiser

During the month of September, editor David Tuan Bui, his fiancée Autumn Nadeau and other PTBOCanada staff are getting in shape for the Peterborough Humane Society’s (PHS) Strutt Your Mutt fundraiser.

(left to right) David Tuan Bui, Autumn Nadeau and Macaroon after the pair’s first walk of the month to kick off “Strutt Your Mutt.” Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The virtual challenge encourages anyone to register on PHS’s website then get active by running, cycling, yoga or any physical activity to raise money for animal wellness.

Community members and local businesses can sign up online as an individual or team and set their personal wellness and fundraising goals. Prizes are available for the highest individual and team fundraiser.

Bui and Nadeau will walk every day possible during the whole month to raise money. Their plan is to raise $1,000 but may continue to increase the goal if the amount is exceeded.

They are running since their pet cat Macaroon was adopted from PHS on Oct. 15, 2018 and saw it as a way to give back to the animal shelter.

“She is my very first cat and I would love to give back to the Humane Society for giving us a furball who's given us so much joy,” exclaimed Bui.

David Tuan Bui joined the PTBOCanada team on Mar. 1 when owner Kirtus Evoy purchased the business from Neil Morton. Photo By David Tuan Bui.

If you would like to donate to PHS on PTBOCanada’s behalf, click here.

If you would like to create your own individual page or start your own team, click here.

The fundraising campaign is seeking its goal of $25,000 at the end of the month.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Peterborough Humane Society Issues Virtual Challenge For Shelter Needs Fundraiser

The Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) is calling the community to participate in the month-long “Strutt Your Mutt” fundraiser all September to help raise funds for animals in need announced Monday.

A puppy showing affection to Emily Craigen. Funds raised from Strutt, support greatest shelter needs as well as special programs such as the Milo Fund and Safe Nights for Pets (SnooPy) program. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The challenge encourages anyone to register on PHS’s website then get active by running, cycling, yoga or any physical activity to raise money for animal wellness.

Community members and local businesses can sign up online as an individual or team and set their personal wellness and fundraising goals. Prizes are available for the highest individual and team fundraiser.

“One benefit to a virtual event is that people and animals that don’t like crowds could participate from a distance,” said Emily Craigen, PHS’s communications and development coordinator.

There are roughly 115 animals that are housed at the PHS. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This year’s goal is to raise $25,000 that will go towards providing essential vaccines, veterinary care, food and socialization of the hundreds of animals that come to PHS according to their press release.

“Don’t let the name “Strutt your Mutt” mislead you,” says Shawn Morey, PHS executive director. “We’re calling on all community members, pet owner or not, cat and dog lovers alike. We want to get folks active while supporting our four-legged friends.”

PetSmart often takes PHS animals to their store for display to be available for adoption. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Not only does doing this benefit the animals at the PHS but is a way to improve your own physical health according to Craigen.

“One of our participants in last year’s event lost 15 pounds through her evening walk with her daughter and their family dog,” she explained.

Registration has begun with the challenge taking place from Sept. 1 to 30. To sign up or donate, visit the Strutt Your Mutt website.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

New Foundation Music For Minds to Host Fundraiser at The Venue

Local musician Maxwell McWilliams is launching his new mental health foundation, Music for Minds, with a live performance at The Venue on Sept. 11.

Photo courtesy of Maxwell McWilliams

McWilliams started his journey as a local musician when he was 11 years old. He played in local bars and at Market Hall, opening for Max Gomez from Taos, NM.

In February 2020, McWilliams launched his solo headline campaign ‘The Maxwell McWilliams Music Administration for Mental Health Awareness’ which sold out Market Hall.

After his success in last year, McWilliams plans to continue fundraising for mental health.

“Mental health doesn’t stop regardless of what is going on in the world,” he said.

On Sept.11 at 7:30 p.m. McWilliams will perform at The Venue to kickstart his new foundation.

Music for Minds aims to improve the lives of young people suffering from mental illness through the power of music, says McWilliams.

“We just saw the tip of the iceberg with community support and raising awareness last year when we ran our campaign,” he explained. “We can’t stop at one show and one donation when there are so many seeking support in our local communities.”

This is an all-ages event with limited ticket sales due to COVID-19 restrictions.

To purchase tickets call the ticket hotline number at (705) 768-7036.

There are event sponsorship opportunities available, call the ticket hotline to inquire.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Canal Pursuit on Track to Run Over 700km While Ending the Stigma Around Mental Health

The Canal Pursuit is an annual relay race aiming to raise awareness of depression and to end the stigma of mental illness. The run started on Saturday in Port Severn and will continue until Aug. 28, when it will end on Parliament Hill.

Clay Williams holds the Canal Pursuit flag with Julie-Anne Wideman. Wideman describes herself as Canal Pursuits Communications Manager, chauffeur, chef and any other title they may need. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

Runners set off from the Peterborough Lift Lock on Tuesday morning at 8:00 a.m. to complete a 40 km leg of the over 700 km journey.

A familiar face in the running and mental health scene in Peterborough was gearing up to run on Tuesday. Julie Vallières has been participating in the Canal Pursuit for five years and this year is joined by her daughter Maya Poulin. Jonel Boyko joins Vallières’s team called ‘Running is Fun.‘ This is Boyko’s second year participating.

Team ‘Running is Fun’ poses with Williams. Photo By Angela O’Grady

Canal Pursuit has been raising awareness and fundraising for mental health for seven years.

Organizer Clay Williams created the run in memory of his two older brothers who took their own lives and to honour his wife, daughter, and his sister who live with mood disorders.

Williams ran his first marathon in 2005 and raised money for a different charity each year.

During the summer of 2014, he was beginning to notice the growing media coverage of mental health in Canada.

“I knew my next fundraiser had to be for mental health,” he said. “But the more I learned about Canada’s mental health care system and how fragmented and in its infancy it was the more I realized I needed to stick with it.”

Williams says people have started to say ‘see you next year’ at the end of the run each year so there is no end in sight.

On each leg of the run, Williams packs a Canadian flag into the backpack of a participant. Before he started the run Williams asked participants and supporters to write the name of someone that struggles with depression, anxiety or any mood disorder on his flag. That flag is carried the whole stretch of the run and then displayed at Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

“We sign the flag, then carry it the full distance of the run as a symbol that you don’t have to carry your burdens alone,” he says. “I’ve had the honour of carrying it up Parliament Hill six years in a row and I’ll run the last leg again this year.”

Williams packs the flag into Vallières backpack before she starts her run for the day. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

Those that participate are welcome to do so individually or as a team. Funds raised by donation during the run are given to the Mood Disorders Society of Canada, a non-profit health charity committed to those struggling with mental health.

The fundraising goal for Canal Pursuit is $15,000, those interested in donating can do so here.

For more information contact Clay Williams at canalpursuit@gmail.com.

Follow along on their journey via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

GoFundMe To Help Grieving Family of International Fleming Student

A GoFundMe has been started for Lakshay Sehdev, a security guard at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) and a former Fleming College student after his unexpected passing.

Photo courtesy of Savita.

The money raised will help to cover the costs of transporting his body to India, his last ritual expenses and repay his student loans.

The 26-year old came from India to Peterborough to attend Fleming where he took part in the Sustainable Agriculture program and the Global Supply Chain and Logistics program.

He began working at PRHC as a security guard in 2020 during the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sehdev collapsed while at work on Aug. 2. Doctors pronounced him dead later that morning after he suffered from cardiac arrest.

“I just want to tell everyone he was a very funny person, he could make friends in minutes,” said Savita, Sehdev’s girlfriend. “Even the Tim Hortons girls were always giving him free donuts. Everyone loved him he was just that kind of person.”

Friend and fundraising organizer Inderpreet Singh Bhasin says Sehdev was a cheerful and happy soul who never missed an opportunity to make anyone's day better. He says Sehdev always kept others first and himself second.

Sehdev had celebrated his 26th birthday a few weeks before his passing and gotten a new car as a gift to himself.

Photo courtesy of Savita.

Savita says Sehdev was the oldest of two and took care of his family even while in Canada.

Sehdev will be transported home to India on Friday.

To donate to the Sehdev family click here.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Local Family Hikes for Hospice to Honour Late Mother

After Lenore Shiels was admitted to end-of-life care at Hospice Peterborough, her children say they had no idea that what they had thought would be a very difficult time would end up creating so many beautiful memories.

Photo courtesy of the Shiels family.

From having the ability to be with her family, to candlelit baths and homemade quiche, to singing songs, laughing and sharing stories, the 92-year-old Peterborough woman was at peace, in comfort and surrounded by love and expert professional care.

After her death, the family was profoundly touched that staff had gotten to know the mother-of-five so well that they placed in her hands a single yellow rose – her favourite flower and one that was symbolic of her deceased son.

“I honestly cannot think of a single thing that would have made her time there any more special,” says her daughter Sheila Crook. “We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful hospice in Peterborough.”

In a nod to Mrs. Shiels’ favourite slot machine, the family created the ‘Lenore’s Blazing 7s’ team and is supporting this year’s 19th annual Hike for Hospice fundraising event from September 11-17, 2021.

The event is the organization’s largest annual fundraiser and supports 26 programs and services. It is a way to connect families, friends, neighbours and co-workers to support and recognize this community’s palliative and bereavement struggles.

Last year’s Hike brought in $56,538 to keep the programs and services running throughout COVID-19 and at no cost to the recipients. One hundred per cent of the proceeds stay in the community.

“We are so thankful to Lenore Shiels’ family, and all of our supporters, for continuing to generously support us throughout yet another unique and challenging year due to the pandemic,” says executive director Hajni Hős. “Our programs and services are all offered free of charge and we depend on the generosity of the community, and events like Hike for Hospice, to help us continue to do so.”

Registration is open for this year’s Hike. Those wanting to donate can find a form here.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.