Easter Seals Telethon Triumphs Through Adversity and Raises Over $92,000

After having to postpone this year’s telethon, the Easter Seals Telethon raised over $92,000 on Sept. 26.

Easter Seals Telethon hosts from 2019. Photo courtesy of Easter Seals Peterborough.

Due to COVID-19, this year had hosts standing alone in the studio with pre-recorded visits with the kids.

The event’s hosts included Stu Harrison, Graham Hart, Mike Melnik, Teresa Kazsuba, Catherine Hanrahan and Caley Bedore.

“With a significantly reduced volunteer team, and a handful of hosts, we hosted the 49th Easter Seals Telethon in Peterborough last weekend and it was a huge success,” said Coralie Jacobs, Easter Seals Manager of Development, Eastern Ontario. “Our host team did an amazing job of sharing the stories of our families and Easter Seals kids and making the ask on their behalf, and the phones started ringing and didn’t stop.”

Ryerson Beardmore took the spotlight as the Easter Seals Peterborough ambassador for the second year.

Easter Seals Ontario has received record-high numbers in requests for equipment funding for children with disabilities.

“This has been a difficult 18 plus months for a lot of us, but for children with physical disabilities and their families the challenges have truly been extraordinary,” said Jacobs. “The ongoing lockdowns, restrictions, and delays have meant there are still so many children living at home without the essential equipment that would provide them with greater dignity as well as safety in the home for both the kids and their caregivers.”

To donate to the Easter Seals click here.

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Hike for Hospice Wraps up Annual Fundraiser With Over $66,000 Raised

Hike for Hospice’s 19th annual fundraiser that ran from Sept. 11-17, exceeded its goal of $40,000 by raising $66,000 announced Thursday.

Manager of Residence at Hospice Peterborough, Jeannette, hikes with friends. Photo courtesy of Hospice Peterborough.

The goal shattered last year’s amount of $56,538.

This was the second consecutive year that the Hike was held virtually and 16 local teams made up of 133 registered participants hiked, walked, ran and cycled at the location of their choosing after collecting pledges.

There were 450 pledges made on the Hospice Peterborough donation site.

“We are so grateful that our teams pulled through for us again this year in another virtual Hike,” says Hospice Peterborough executive director Hajni Hős. “Thanks to our generous community, including individuals, teams and corporate sponsors, we can continue to offer our programs and services free of charge to anyone who needs our help.”

The funds support 26 programs and services including a bereaved parents support group, day hospice, palliative navigation, groups for children and teens and a 10-bed end-of-life residence.

Hospice also offers community education events including workshops and seminars, about issues such as end-of-life medication or advance-care planning to help people decide in advance who can be their decision-maker if they are unable to speak for themselves.

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Annual Friday Night Lights Fundraiser For Suicide Awareness Running for a Touchdown

The ninth annual “Friday Night Lights” football fundraiser for suicide awareness with Team55 will take the spotlight at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School on Friday.

Photo Courtesy of Team55.

The “Let’s Tackle Suicide Awareness” campaign will feature a double-header of football games with opening ceremonies beginning at 6:00 p.m. and girls’ rugby games in the afternoon.

• 7:00 p.m. - Adam Scott Collegiate and Vocational Institute vs. Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School

• 9:00 p.m. Holy Cross Secondary School vs Crestwood Secondary School

The games will be broadcasted by YourTV Cogeco where spectators will be tightly limited to avoid large gatherings.

This year’s slogan is “What do you do for you?” to encourage mental health, especially among youth.

Last year’s message was, “Who would you talk to in your time of crisis?” Photo Courtesy of Team55.

Team55 was founded by Dave Pogue, Peterborough Petes president, after losing his son Mitchell to suicide. The number 55 was the latter’s jersey number when he played football for the Adam Scott Collegiate.

The game was cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic however the fundraising efforts were still made.

“We’re thrilled to have the live football back, no questions,” said Pogue Mainly for the kids that missed out on participating in sports.”

A goal of $15,000 has been set for the event. Last year raised just under $25,000 with over $17,000 raised in the silent auction alone.

Fundraising efforts are through donations online, their Facebook page “Team55 Tackles Suicide Awareness” or sending a cheque to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) offices at 415 Water St.

An online silent auction will run until Saturday evening with over 110 donated products. Big-ticket items include Blue Jays tickets, a Carrie Underwood-autographed acoustic guitar, Petes Centre Ice Suite tickets and more.

“Local businesses and people who are interested have donated these items,” said Pogue. “They just keep coming back to help. There’s a real camaraderie behind this community to help in mental health.”

Proceeds go to the CMHA’s Assertive Outreach Suicide Prevention (AOSP) program that seeks help and resources for attempted suicide victims.

Tara Slone, Juno nominee and Canadian Football League alumnus and Peterborough’s Brad Sinopoli will guest star in the games’ opening ceremonies.

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Community Care Kicks Off October with Annual Kms for Care Fundraiser

October is Community Support Month and Community Care Peterborough is launching their annual month-long fundraising event, ‘Kms for Care’.

Staff at Community Care Peterborough celebrating pride week in September. Photo courtesy of Community Care Peterborough

In the past, ‘Kms for Care’ was a formalized run, but due to COVID-19, it has become a way for participants to raise money and be active on their own time.

“Just like last year, we are asking participants to do any activity that they love to do, sometime in the month of October and inspire their friends to donate in support of their challenge or get involved too,” said Alicia Vandine, Donor Relations and Communications Lead.

Participants must pay a registration fee of $30 and are invited to gather pledges to contribute to the fundraiser. They can do an activity on their own or they can create a team.

Community Care will provide each participant with a $20 tax receipt and a Community Care toque so that they can show the community their support.

“You can walk, jog, exercise, bike, golf, yoga, or whatever activity you love to do,” said Vandine. “You can choose a day, do it for a week or do a challenge throughout the month. I am personally doing a walking challenge. We also know a group that is organizing a golf day and clocking some kilometres for us playing golf. The challenge can be anything in support of Community Care.”

Pledges can be gathered using paper pledge forms or by setting up a fundraising page online using Community Care’s secure Canada Helps account.

Creating a fundraising page will allow teams to send a link via email or through social media. Donations received online can be directed to the community of the participants choosing.

Last year Community Care Peterborough served over 6,700 individuals, delivered over 43,000 meals and employed 45 community members.

For more information or to register for ‘Kms for Care’, visit commcareptbo.org or email - kmsforcare@commcareptbo.org.

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Second Annual Lakers Alumni Golf Tournament Tees Off To Support Peterborough Lacrosse

Over 90 golfers were hitting the green at the Keystone Links Golf & Country Club for the second annual Peterborough Lakers Alumni Golf Tournament held on Friday.

In addition to promoting lacrosse within the Peterborough area community, Peterborough Lakers Alumni strengthens ties between past and present players. Photo By David Tuan Bui.

The tournament hosted professional lacrosse players, former Peterborough Lakers and avid golfers to play in the annual tournament. Past and present players such as John Grant Sr., Paul Evans and Shawn Evans were in attendance among several other alumni.

All proceeds go towards the Peterborough Lakers Alumni that support the sustainability and growth of lacrosse in the Peterborough area.

“This tournament is a fundraising and social event,” said Jamie Batley, Alumni president. “Not only is it fundraising but it’s an opportunity for the Lakers, ex-Lakers and all the lacrosse people in the Peterborough area to get together.

Former lacrosse players Howie Stevenson (top left), Art Batley (top right), Bill Ogilvie (bottom left) and Bobby Allen (bottom right) performing their ceremonial first drives at Keystone. Photo By David Tuan Bui.

Former lacrosse players Howie Stevenson, Art Batley, Bill Ogilvie and Bobby Allen kicked off the tournament with the ceremonial first drives at the course’s first hole.

The inaugural tournament in 2019 did not have any women participating. The second-year event had a welcome change with a small handful of female golfers. Batley says he hopes to see more women participating in future events.

The tournament had prizes for lowest score, closest-to-pin shots and longest drives for both the male and female categories.

Prizes such as Alumni golf shirts, gift certificates and gift baskets were given out to the golfers. Photo By David Tuan Bui.

The third annual Peterborough Lakers Alumni Golf Tournament will be held on June 24 next year at Keystone.

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100 Women Peterborough Donates $7,000 to Youth Orchestra

100 Women Peterborough announced on Wednesday that the Kawartha Youth Orchestra (KYO) was chosen to receive a $7,000 donation at their meeting on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of Kawartha Youth Orchestra.

100 Women Peterborough heard from three local charities making pitches for their quarterly donation in their third virtual meeting of the year.

Kawartha Youth Orchestra, Habitat for Humanity and Trent University’s Fisheries Research Program were selected as the three finalists. They were chosen randomly from a list of nominations made by members of 100 Women Peterborough.

Kawartha Youth Orchestra is a community music and orchestra-training organization serving elementary through post-secondary-aged youth in Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

The funds recieved will go directly to KYO’s barrier-free, after-school music program UPBEAT! Downtown serving children in the City of Peterborough according to a Facebook post.

The after-school music program is geared towards children living in Peterborough with an interest in music but face barriers accessing music education.

It is a fully subsidized program that provides children with an after-school snack, the opportunity to be a part of a team, play violin, percussion instruments, sing and participate in musical games and listening activities.

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British Music Tribute Becomes Theme For Crime Stoppers Benefit Concert

Peterborough Northumberland Crime Stoppers will host a benefit tribute concert on Feb. 5, 2022 at the Stonehouse Hall-Peterborough Curling Club announced on Thursday.

Crime Stoppers has been serving the community since 1987. Photo Courtesy of Crime Stoppers.

The show is called “The British Legends”, featuring tributes to David Bowie, Rod Stewart and Adele.

This event is presented in partnership with Connect Marketing and will benefit Peterborough Northumberland Crime Stoppers.

Tickets are available at the door while they last for $38. Discounts available in advance. Advance tickets are available at www.BenefitShow.net or by calling or Event & Ticket Line 1-800-516-5810

Crime Stoppers’ mandate is to assist the police in solving crimes. The program encourages members of the community to call anonymously with information that assists in solving or preventing crimes.

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Dragon Boat Festival Raises Over $90,000 For PRHC Breast Assessment Centre

The fight against breast cancer takes another step forward as Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival members donated $91,853.20 to the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation at Peterborough Square on Thursday.

To date, the festival has raised more than $3.7 million for cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment through the PRHC Foundation. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The money is towards a diagnostic ultrasound machine for the Breast Assessment Centre at the PRHC which Dragon Boat Festival had raised money for in their first-ever campaign. It will aid in cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment.

The target goal was $84,509.18, a specific figure that was quickly addressed by Gina Lee, 2021 festival chair.

“We also realized that we have come full circle and to celebrate our 20th anniversary, we decided our goal would be to match the $84,509.18 donation we made to the PRHC Foundation 20 years ago when we were first starting out,” she said.

Volunteers from Survivors Abreast, the Dragon Boat Festival organizing committee, PRHC reps and sponsors were in attendance to unveil the final amount raised.

This year’s event was run virtually where teams were challenged to hold virtual races online. Points were awarded to individuals and teams for participation, fundraising and video or photo submissions.

The number of cancer treatment patients from Peterborough and the surrounding area is trending upward every year. 

“The hospital’s mission to provide world-class cancer care, close to home, remains as important as ever. So the support of Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival and our community is vital,” said Lesley Heighway, PRHC President and CEO. “This state-of-the-art equipment will provide better quality images so radiologists can detect smaller, difficult-to-see breast abnormalities quickly and accurately. This will help save lives.”

Survivors Abreast is the festival host team and is overjoyed of the Festival’s impact on the PRHC.

“Our goals remain the same,” said Marg Walsh, Survivors Abreast President. “To raise funds for the best cancer care in our community, to raise awareness about breast cancer and to encourage participation in the festival. None of this would be possible without the generous spirit of giving in our community and the joint efforts of our sponsors, volunteers, enthusiastic paddlers and donors.”

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PRHC Foundation Launches First-Ever Online 50/50 Lottery

The PRHC Foundation announced the launch of its first online 50/50 Lottery in support of patient care at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC), on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of PRHC Foundation.

By participating in the Foundation’s newest fundraising initiative, ticket buyers can win cash and prizes online while supporting the PRHC Foundation.

“We all want the best possible patient care for our loved ones, but government funding doesn’t cover all the hospital’s needs,” said Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation President and CEO. “That’s why the support of the community is so important. The proceeds from the new 50/50 Lottery will help fund the equipment and technology that form the foundation of patient care. They’ll help bring new lifesaving services to our region, and enable PRHC to attract the best doctors, nurses and staff to our hospital.”

The jackpot is over $7,000 and growing, with a bonus prize of a $2,500 Resorts of Ontario Gift Certificate (or a $2,000 cash bonus).

The grand prize winner will be announced on October 28, 2021. Two early bird draws will provide additional chances to win, with cash prizes awarded every hour from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on October 8 and 22.

Tickets are available online only.

Ticket options include 10 tickets for $10, 40 tickets for $20, 160 tickets for $40 or 400 tickets for $75. Ticket buyers must be 18 years of age or older and in the province of Ontario to play.

For more information, visit prhcfoundation.ca or email prhcfoundation5050@gmail.com.

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Hike for Hospice Peterborough On Their Way to Meet Fundraising Goal

Hospice Peterborough’s Hike For Hospice event already raised over $30,000 since it started on Saturday for its one-week campaign.

Image courtesy of Hospice Peterborough

Due to COVID-19 this year’s event is being held virtually and started with a live stream of the opening ceremonies. Participants are encouraged to walk, hike or bike at their convenience from Sept. 11-17.

Hike for Hospice 2021 wants to raise $40,000, 73 per cent of that goal has already been met.

Prize winners were announced for the early bird registration and the t-shirt decorating contest on Tuesday

Wednesday they will hold a day of remembrance and Thursday participants will be invited to share who they are hiking for.

The event will end on Friday with a closing ceremony.

Participants are encouraged to share their stories, photos, videos, and fundraising ideas on the Hike for Hospice Facebook page or send them to Aimée at aoreilly@hospicepeterborough.org.

To sponsor an individual or a team click here.

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