The Pumpkin Painter Embraces the Halloween Spirit and Raises Funds for Cystic Fibrosis

Local artist Samantha Hirdes is busy painting and selling pumpkins to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis Canada, despite the annual charity night being cancelled due to COVID-19.

Photo courtesy of Samantha Hirdes.

For the last 12 years Hirdes has been helping out at a local Cystic Fibrosis Benefit night.

“Six years ago, I started painting pumpkins and doing a 'paint your own' table at the fundraising event so the kids attending had something fun to do, and it's just evolved from there,” said Hirdes. “I care a lot about the cause, so I ended up finding a way to overcome that barrier of COVID and continue to deliver pumpkins.”

Hirdes has set up a website so that those interested can order a painted pumpkin. 100 percent of the proceeds will be donated to Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

A pumpkin can take Hirdes anywhere from one to four hours to paint, depending on the intricacy of the design, chosen by the customer.

At the in-person charity event, Hirdes estimates she makes an average of $280 yearly, which is all donated to CF Canada. Last year, the first year Hirdes painted pumpkins outside of the in-person fundraiser, she raised over $600.

The pumpkins come in three sizes, and are completely customizable. They are all donated by Leahy’s Farm Market.

“They always donate all of the pumpkins, we just show up and they hand them right over they say take whatever you want - which is amazing.”

This year Hirdes has painted over 35 pumpkins, and is still taking orders. While her ultimate goal is to fundraise, Hirdes is a one woman show and there is limited availability in the amount of art she can create before Halloween.

Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time. While Canada is at the forefront of Cystic Fibrosis research, there is no government funding.

Because of extensive research, made possible by fundraising, this year a new medication is being approved, in almost all the provinces and territories to treat the two most common types of CF.

To order a pumpkin, or to make a monetary donation visit ThePumpkinPainter.com

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Jigsaw Puzzles of Peterborough Zoo's Miniature Train Sold To Fundraise New Locomotive

The Riverview Park & Zoo is selling jigsaw puzzles of its iconic James Hamilton miniature train in a fundraising effort for a new locomotive that launched on Friday.

The train travels on a bridge through a forest of artificial and natural attractions but does not run through the zoo. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Roughly 750 copies of the 308-piece puzzle have been made to help fund the required $650,000 — along with other fundraisers — for a new train projected for 2023 according to Paul Hartung, zoo board member.

The puzzle is sold for $20 at the zoo’s gift shop and stores such as Brant Basics, Griffins Greenhouses, Fork in the Road Country Market and Ennismore Pharmacy. Other stores could soon follow suit.

Calyptic Creations, a commercial printer based out of Calgary created the puzzle where Hartung knew through the Rotary Club of Peterborough.

The train needs to be replaced since its parts are no longer manufactured and getting new parts would be costly says Hartung.

“We would have to hire an engineer to make a new part for us and it could cost us roughly $200-$300 an hour,” he explained.

The train opens during the summer season from daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Photo Courtesy of Paul Hartung.

Hartung researched the campaign idea in December last year. The zoo’s advisory committee agreed to the idea and began planning the fundraising process.

The train was built in 1974 that costs two dollars to ride and is free for children under two.

The miniature train ride is an 1860 locomotive replica. Located under sabre jet, the train track is over two kilometres and the ride is roughly ten minutes long according to the zoo’s website.

“This is a way that can probably help us prepare for a replacement of the train and hopefully the new train will last us another 50 years and another three or four generations,” reflected Hartung. “The fun of it is to go for the ride.”

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$20,000 Raised From Ruck and Dive Event To Support Work-Related PTSD

After a month-long Ruck and Dive event, the fundraiser will give $20,000 towards Wounded Warriors Canada for two service dogs for anyone experiencing PTSD from work-related trauma this Saturday.

Members of the event skydived from 14,000 feet in the air. Photo Courtesy of Shawn Brennan.

The cheque presentation will occur in a ceremony at Peterborough Cenotaph in front of City Hall with first responders, armed forces and other dignitaries present for the event.

The money was raised through the “30-Day Ruck and Dive Challenge for PTSD 2021” from July 16 to Aug. 14. Participants wore a rucksack weighing 50-pounds and hiking 33 kilometres from Base Borden to the Skydive Centre. They ended the event with a skydive from 14,000 feet.

Ruck and Dive event organizer Shawn Brennan (right) and several others walked 33 kilometres from Base Borden in Angus, Ont. Photo Courtesy of Shawn Brennan.

Shawn Brennan, event organizer saw the impacts of work-induced trauma through his father who served with Peterborough Fire for 32 years. He has also seen friends with similar work conditions suffer from PTSD. He said that they are still human and need help for their hardships like anyone else.

“They are mothers, brothers, fathers and sisters,” he said. “Our mission is to beat the drum and be the mosquito in the tent. At the end of the day, and letting them know there is a voice and additional support.”

Photo Courtesy of Shawn Brennan.

Brennan says that the mental health of workers like firefighters, police officers and armed forces often go back to work as broken men and women without being able to relax and decompress.

“We get exposed to very toxic environments,” he explained. “We are far from decompressing, how many victims have been on Ontario Disability, how much you are compartmentalizing until it starts leaking real bad.”

Brennan pictured with his wife as part of the Wounded Warriors Project. Photo Courtesy of Shawn Brennan.

Roughly $4,000 of raffle items were purchased as giveaways for donors and participants purchased by Brennan. Prizes such as electronics, gift certificates and prepaid credit cards were up for grabs to provide additional incentives for people to participate.

“When individuals are willing to put themselves in that environment to the benefit to us, or it’s dealing with responder issues,” said Brennan. “For people that put their selves on the line, I think we should give back.”

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Peterborough Humane Society Honours Animals Wartime Contributions with Commemorative Pins

New commemorative Animals in War pins, to honour the animals that served alongside soldiers at war, are available at the Peterborough Humane Society leading up to Remembrance Day.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Humane Society.

Funds from the sale of the pin help provide care for animals in need at the Peterborough Humane Society as well as support veterans. From each pin sold, $1 is donated to Royal Canadian Legion branches across Ontario to support veterans.

"At the Peterborough Humane Society, we believe it's important to recognize the wartime contributions of animals,” said Emily Craigen, communications and development coordinator, PHS. “The Animals in War pins are a complement to the poppy and honour all the animals who have served alongside our veterans."

The Ontario SPCA releases a new commemorative Animals in War collectible pin each year. This year a cat was chosen to represent the sacrifice made by animals who served, and continue to serve, alongside Canada’s veterans.

"Many people may not realize that cats served as companions and kept ships free of vermin. In addition to the contributions of cats, mules carried artillery, horses transported troops and hauled field guns, pigeons delivered crucial messages and dogs have served as messengers, medical assistants, bomb detectors and search and rescue workers,” said Craigen.

The first Animals in War pin was launched in 2017 and the collection includes a horse, a dog, a limited-edition pin in honour of the women who have served in Canada’s military, a pigeon, and now a cat

To purchase a pin visit Peterborough Humane Society’s current shelter at 385 Lansdowne Street East or call (705) 745-4722 for more information.

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Canadian Women 4 Women in Afghanistan and Red Pashmina Inc. to Host Fundraiser Saturday

The Peterborough chapter of Canadian Women 4 Women in Afghanistan (CW4WAfghan) and Red Pashmina Inc. will be hosting a fundraiser at the Silver Bean Café to benefit educational programs for women in Afghanistan.

Members of the Peterborough Chapter of CW4WAfghan Janet HonsBerger, Joanne Rowland and Janice Ephgrave.

The groups will be selling red pashminas, handmade crafts from Afghanistan, used books and other accessories from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Money raised at Saturday’s events will go to the national Canadian Women 4 Women group, which supports educational programs for women and girls in Afghanistan.

“Now more than ever this is important, because of the situation in Afghanistan, the Taliban is restricting the education of girls.” said Melodie Mcullough, CW4WAfghan. “ It also gives hope to the women of Afghanistan to know that other women around the world are thinking of them and trying to support them at this time.”

Currently, the Taliban has banned girls from pursuing education beyond primary school in Afghanistan.

The CW4WAfghanistan are now focused on adapting and continuing to deliver educational programs where possible while campaigning for the human rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.

In the past they have funded projects like Gender Equality in Teacher Training, which alleviates the chronic shortage of qualified female teachers and Afghanistan Reads! which offers literacy classes to women and out-of school girls.

Red Pashmina Inc is a grassroots initiative based in Peterborough that started in 2010. They have red pashmina’s for sale year round at Hi Ho Silver and at the New Canadians Centre. Money raised gets donated to CW4WAfghanistan.

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Colossal Pumpkins Earn Donations For Local Shelter

The Brock Mission will not be scared this Halloween as $400 from the sale of two colossal pumpkins will go towards the shelter sold on Thursday.

(Left to right) Kirtus Evoy, PTBOCanada owner; Pete Dalliday, Fresh Radio DJ; Reese, Canadian Tire PitStop and Dale Strano, Farmboy Markets Ltd. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Pete Dalliday and Dani Guppy of 100.5 Fresh Radio put out a call to Peterborough to buy the pumpkins to support the shelter and quickly found homes.

Canadian Tire PitStop and PTBOCanada purchased the two pumpkins for $100 each with all proceeds going to Brock Mission. Dale Strano of Farmboy Markets Ltd. matched the raised money totalling $400.

The pumpkins were donated by a frequent customer to Farmboy where Strano quickly put them on display.

“A great customer of ours came down and was willing to put these here,” he said. “(They) hoped that they could get the donation for the Brock Mission and help with Thanksgiving dinners.”

The PTbocAnada Staff displaying newly purchased pUmpkins and a straw bale from Farmboy At their front window. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Straw bales and pumpkins are available for purchase at Farmboy for Halloween decorations.

@ptbo_canada

Colossal pumpkins at Farmboy Markets! All proceeds go to Brock Mission so we decided to bring one to the office!

♬ Monster Mash - Bobby "Boris" Pickett & The Crypt-Kickers

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Bridgenorth Family's Spooky Display is Gathering Donations for Food Bank

The Mitchell family from Bridgenorth has invited the community to tour their spooky Halloween display and drop off donations for the Bridgenorth Food Bank during their visit.

The Mitchell Family hopes to fill the trailer by Halloween, Crystal says donations have already been pouring in from community members. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

Crystal Mitchell, her husband and their five children moved to Bridgenorth from Gamebridge this August.

“Last year we did food bank donations in Gamebridge and did really well,” she said. “So we figured we’d continue what we used to do there.”

The Halloween display stretches across the Mitchell’s 350 foot front lawn, located at 1058 Ward St, Bridgenorth.

Located in the middle of the display is an enclosed trailer, which the Mitchell’s hope will be filled with donations for the Bridgenorth Food Bank by Halloween.

“We love Halloween, the kids love Halloween, it’s our favourite holiday,” said Mitchell. “We just want to share our love of it with everyone and what better way to do that than to help to food bank while we’re at it.”

The display features spiderwebs, ghosts, aliens and a hard-to-miss 12 foot tall skeleton.

Donations can be dropped off at anytime, but the animatronic decorations, lights and effects will only be on from about 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. every Saturday until Halloween.

The Bridgenorth Food Bank runs out of Bridgenorth United Church at 832 Charles St. Clients can pick up food once a month.

While it may seem far away, Mitchell says that when the Halloween decorations come down the Christmas decorations go up.

“We did so well with the Halloween food bank donations last so we thought we’d do it for Christmas too,” she said.

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Kawartha Food Share Urges Community to Donate in Time for Thanksgiving

Kawartha Food Share has put a call out for their most needed items approaching Thanksgiving weekend, one of their busiest times of the year.

File photo.

“From September to the new year it’s a bit crazy around here,” said Ashlee Aitken, Kawartha Food Share general manager. “But especially Thanksgiving weekend, it’s a big time for donations. We have lots of families that we’re supporting and trying to get as much food out to them that we can before the weekend comes.”

During the holidays, Kawartha Food Share tries to distribute turkeys and fresh produce so families can enjoy a holiday meal.

“People tend to associate giving with holidays,” she said “Thanksgiving and Christmas we tend to see lots more donations come in than during the summer months.”

A list of the most needed items has been released for anyone able to donate:

• Canned vegetables

• Pork and beans

• Mac and cheese

• Individually wrapped snacks

• Soup

• Pasta Sauce

• Boxed Stuffing

Photo courtesy of Kawartha Food Share.

Kawartha Food Share typically host larger-scale Thanksgiving food drives at various locations. Due to COVID-19, they are asking anyone that wants to donate food to bring it to their warehouse or leave it in a bin located at every grocery store in Peterborough.

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One Hairy Fundraiser to Donate to Three Local Organizations

Local entrepreneur, Husayn Dharshi, is organizing ‘One Hairy Fundraiser’ for three local initiatives and has pledged to offer his long hair to an organization that may need it once he reaches his goal of $1,500.

Funds donated to ‘One Hairy Fundraiser’ will be evenly split between Kawartha FoodShare, Peterborough's Safe Consumption and Treatment Site and The Home Program under One City Peterborough.

When he reaches his $1,500 goal Dharshi will cut his long hair and donate it to a charity that will put it to use. He has not yet decided which charity.

“The focus of this campaign is to raise awareness of all the great organizations that are doing so much in the community right now,” said Dharshi. “They fit into the brackets of people living with food insecurity, underhoused people and people with mental health challenges and addictions - which are things we need so much more support for.”

Dharshi is a local website and web application developer, and the Founder of TransitOne Canada, a local start up dedicated to creating better access to local communities through better transit. When the COVID-19 pandemic began his business took a hit, and he found himself in need of work.

He began working full-time as a social services worker at One Roof Community Centre, where he has been volunteering since 2018.

“They have been so gracious with me and so kind to me, this is just a small token of my gratitude to them,” said Dharshi.

To donate to One Hairy Fundraiser click here.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough Receives $6,000 from "Lids For Kids" Campaign

More smiles on kids’ faces and more heads are covered after the “Lids for Kids” campaign raised $6,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough (Peterborough Bigs) donated by PTBOCanada on Wednesday.

Members of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough and PTBOCanada at the cheque presentation.

The proceeds support weekly virtual programs to keep children on the waiting list connected to the agency. Examples include weekly trivia games and craft nights, including painting pictures and decorating pots in which they plant seeds.

Each hat purchased had $10 go towards the charity. They were available on PTBOCanada’s shop page in five different styles.

“It was great to have an opportunity to get behind the cause that simultaneously builds community through the PTBOCanada hats but also works for charity, said Thomas Jenkins, Peterborough Bigs board member. "We were absolutely honoured to be the charity choice for this."

"It's amazing to have people that are so supportive both with their time and energy and with their dollars," said Brent Shepard, Peterborough Bigs executive director. "It makes a big difference."

PTBOCanada owner Kirtus Evoy presented the check at their studio in East City to Peterborough Bigs. The campaign originally raised $5,000 from 500 hats sold but Evoy threw in an extra $1,000 totalling $6,000.

The campaign began back in late April with several local celebrities and notables showing their support such as WWE wrestler Bobby Roode, sports broadcaster Dan O’Toole, Peterborough Chamber of Commerce president Stu Harrison and more.

Activities were limited with COVID-19 between the brothers and sisters but with the donated money, the organization is hoping to do more with the mentorship program.

"This is going go a long way to help us pull out of that (COVID-19 pandemic) and build on the good stuff that we've already seen happen in the history of Big Brothers Big Sisters Peterborough," said Shepard.

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