Omemee Woman Hosts Fourth Annual Fundraising Event To Promote Heart Health

Omemee woman Annie Smith is hosting her fourth annual Annie’s Pace Global Adventure (APGA) to raise money and awareness about heart health, during a four-day event.

APGA.mp4 from Erin Harris Photography on Vimeo.

Smith was diagnosed with cardiac sarcoidosis, an invisible, rare, incurable and life-threatening disease, in 2016.

“My message is from one of my main cardiologists, ‘your life is worth one hour a day’,” said Smith.

AGPA encourages participants to take control of their heart health by being active for one hour a day. Over the course of the four-day event participants are invited to share online what activity they’re doing that day to stay active and keep their hearts healthy.

Smith has people participating all over the world in Canada, Hong Kong and even Transylvania.

“People find reasons not to work out, we only have so many hours in a day and everyone is going through things but your heart needs it,” said Smith.

Smith says setting realistic and achievable goals are important to keep active.

“Don’t look at is an I have to, look at is an I get to. People need to embrace that there are people that can’t do that,” she said. “I’ve been limited to what I can do physically now because of my heart and that was an abrupt halt my life came to.”

AGPA not only encourages participants to keep active but it also encourages them to sign up for organ donation and to donate to the cause if they are able.

Funds raised through AGPA will go to the Test Your Limits Initiative at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre. This initiative was started by Dr. Heather Ross, Head of the MSH/UHN Heart Failure Program.

Dr. Ross says she is inspired by her patients every day. Accompanied by doctors and transplant patients, the team has climbed in Nepal, trekked in Bhutan and skied to the North and South Poles while raising over $2 million for heart failure research, cardiac transplantation and heart health.

Smith did her four days of walking from Apr. 6 to 9, several weeks prior to the event since she had bilateral knee surgery on Apr. 25. Her walking was done before the scheduled dates to prevent post-surgery damage to her knees.

Smith plans to do her walk again after recovering from her having her knees repaired.

"I did the best with two knees that were really bad and two ankles that were really bad," said Smith. "I did it because I wanted to do Annie's pace, not just because I'm Annie but because I like to test my limits."

To join AGPA visit the Facebook group. To donate click here.

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Local Dance Champion Has Fundraiser Set Up To Perform at Disneyland

It is an opportunity of a lifetime for 17-year-old Rhiannon King as her family set up a GoFundMe to send her to Disneyland in Anaheim, Ca. to dance with the Lightning Elite Disney Performance Team.

Melissa King (left), Rhiannon King (middle) and Jason King (right) gazing at Rhiannon’s first-place medals and scholarship certificates after winning the senior solos at Star Beat Dance Champions in Niagara Falls. Melissa is a paraplegic and Jason is blind. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

King received the opportunity after she placed first at the Star Beat Dance Champions in Niagara Falls in the senior solo division on the May 12-15 weekend. The win also earned her a $1,000 scholarship toward the trip to California.

"I was so shocked," said King. "I was crying, I started jumping up and down and my teammates were really happy for me too.”

The GoFundMe is requesting $7,000 which pays for the flight, insurance, dance equipment and food. It was set up on May 15 shortly after King had received the opportunity.

The seven-day trip allows King the chance to meet with top industry professionals and work with dancers around the world according to the King family.

"It's her foot in the door," said Jason King, Rhiannon's father. "For many dancers, they don't those opportunities and the fact that this opportunity has come virtually at the end of her novice career per se, it's a dream come true for everyone."

Rhiannon has been dancing since she was three and danced competitively roughly when she was six. She has danced in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, musical theatre, tap and more throughout her life.

She has aspirations to attend York University for dance. Rhiannon wants to make dance her career by performing in her mid-20s and eventually opening a dance studio.

"I'm really proud of her for what she's accomplished and I know she'll succeed with whatever she decides to do,” said Melissa King, Rhiannon’s mother. “She has a natural talent for dancing I noticed that (in) the first year."

To donate to Rhiannon’s GoFundMe, click here.

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16th Annual Jukebox Mania Brings In Close To $21,000 For CCRC Programs

The 16th annual Jukebox Mania, hosted by Community Counselling and Resource Centre (CCRC), brought in approximately $21,000 in proceeds to support their programs and services.

Hosted on April 29, virtually, by Megan Murphy, Jukebox mania is a friendly competition where teams listen to clips of songs that follow a theme and guess the artist or title of the song.

Cambium & Tennille from Cambium Inc was the victor in their first ever foray into Jukebox Mania, followed closely by Tramps Like Us (community team) in second, and rounding out the top three was the Aural Academics (TUFA/CUPE) and the Purple People Eaters of Grant Thornton in a tie for Third.

CCRC is a local charity that offers services for those struggling to keep or find housing, homelessness prevention, professional counselling, and community service orders. Their services are free or low cost and no one is turned away, regardless of how challenging their situation is.

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East City Holding Neighbourhood Yard Sale to Benefit Local School's Nutrition Program

Over 50 houses have registered in a neighbourhood yard sale where part of the proceeds benefit Kaawaate East City Public School’s nutrition program this Saturday.

Kaawaate East City Public School teaches students from junior kindergarten to grade 8. The school runs two separate nutrition breaks for the students. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The yard sale is located at residences in and around East City and Ashburnham Village with over 30 participating streets. It is run by the Facebook page East City Ptbo and runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Kaawaate East City Public School is receiving 20 per cent of the proceeds from participating houses made from the yard sale.

Any vendors are encouraged to post yard sale signs and asked to take them down after by East City Ptbo.

The following are a list of streets that are participating in the yard sale:

• Abbey Lane

• Armour Road

• Ashburnham Drive

• Beverly Street

• Burnham Street

• Caddy Street

• Carlisle Avenue

• Cricket Place

• Curtis Road

• Douro Street

• Driscoll Terrace

• Dufferin Street

• Edgewater Road

• Elgin Street

• Engleburn Avenue

• Euclid Avenue

• Foxmeadow Road

• James Street

• Juliet Road

• Ludgate Street

• Ludgate Street

• Mark Street

• Marsdale Drive

• Munro Avenue

• Ridgetop Crescent

• Robinson Street

• Rogers Street

• Ross Street

• Severn Road

• Snelgrove Road

• Swanston Avenue

• Watts Avenue

• Woodbine Avenue

If you are a house that wants to donate to the school, email Jennifercaley@hotmail.com.

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Humane Society Seeking $3 Million in Funding to Complete Peterborough Animal Care Centre

With the Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) less than six months away from moving into the Peterborough Animal Care Centre, the shelter is seeking $3 million to complete the project.

The groundbreaking ceremony began in late June of last year. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Humane Society.

The centre is located at 1999 Technology Dr. where construction began in May of last year. The fundraising goal was at $10 million since then.

“Spreading the word, donating and endorsing the project is what we need right now to get us into our new home,” said Shawn Morey, PHS executive director. “The Peterborough Animal Care Centre will truly revolutionize animal care, not only in Peterborough but for our greater region.”

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Humane Society.

“The project is currently on budget and following the timeline, which has been a challenge with Covid-19. But thanks to the many local contractors, suppliers and the hard work going into this project we’ve been able to stay on track. The pillar of this project is the funding, and with the community’s support we can achieve our goal in revolutionizing animal care in Peterborough and beyond.”

The Centre is projected to be completed by the year end according to the Humane Society.  The building will be over 24,000 sq. ft. and include a state-of-the-art Animal Adoption & Education Centre, Publicly Accessible & High-Volume Spay/Neuter Clinic and Canada’s first Dog Rehabilitation Centre created in partnership with the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society.

Visit www.ourpetproject.ca to donate towards the shelter.

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Little Britain Man Returns To The Frontlines Of Ukraine

Zach England, from Little Britain, volunteered for the International Legion of Ukraine in March. He returned to Canada on April 12, then went back to Ukraine on May 4, to re-join the ILU as a Combat Medic.

England says currently his main job is extracting wounded civilians and military personel from the front lines so they can be better helped.

Previously, England has worked as a fire fighter. The medical training he received during that time is what qualifies him to now act as a combat medic.

In a post to his social media, England has shared a way for friends and family to send money that he has been using to purchase much needed supplies.

During his last trip to Ukraine, he posted a photo of what he purchased while there.

“ifaks are carried by the soldiers at the front when wounded ,these will save lives'“ Englad wrote. Photo courtesy of Zach England.

England says any donations he receives will be used to buy things like tourniquets, chest packs and individual first aid kits (Ifaks).

If interested, eTransfers can be sent to englandzach32@gmail.com.

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URide Peterborough To Donate Proceeds Collected On Thursday To Peterborough Shares

URide Peterborough announced that portions from each ride on Thursday will be donated to Peterborough Shares.

File Photo.

Peterborough Shares is a Facebook group that aims to help anyone in need. To date URide Peterborough has donated over $850 to the group.

The group provides those in need the opportunity to ask for things like groceries or household items, and provides those with excess the opportunity to offer it.

Recently, thanks to individuals in the group and donations from organizations like URide Peterborough, the group was able to purchase a young woman clothing for a new job.

On Thursday a portion of each ride will be automatically donated to the group.

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St. John's School Holds Ukraine Fundraiser With City-Wide Badminton Tournament

St. John’s Catholic Elementary School grade 7 and 8 students used their racquets and birdies to raise money for their “United for Ukraine” two-day badminton tournament held on Wednesday and Thursday.

St. Anne’s grade 8 student, Clara Murison (pictured), 13, serving against Monsignor O’Donoghue (MOD) at St. John’s gymnasium. Murison and her teammate Sequoia Soubliere, 14, defeated MOD in their round-robin matchup. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Nine other schools within the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic School Board were invited to participate and contribute to the cause.

The money is going towards the New Canadians Centre Welcome Fund which aids refugees and immigrants with mental health services, employment opportunities and other services.

"The kids have been working on this for a couple of months now as a 'deep learning' project," said Stacy Higgins, St. John's grade 8 teacher. "They learned about what was going on in Ukraine and wanted to help."

"We did a little bit of research on Ukraine and we were talking about it a lot in class,” said Jayden Hopkins, 14, St. John's grade 8 student. “We haven't really haven't had any schools come over in a long time because of COVID so we thought this would be a great way to help our community and help the refugees but also have a fun time."

St Anne’s grade 8 student Sequoia Soubliere (pictured), 14, was one of the finalists for the girls’ tournament. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

St John’s students were responsible for contacting other schools to get them involved, reach out to sponsors and organize the event.

"It took a lot of effort, we had to call a lot of places and we're so thankful for our sponsors to help donate food, drinks and flowers, said Hopkins. “It was a lot of hard work to make those signs, and call the different places, it was a lot of work but it was worth it."

All the awards were designed by a St. John’s student while Holy Cross Secondary School created them. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The students reached out to Holy Cross Secondary School where teacher Mike Whibbs helped created the awards from the shop class. The first-place trophy was designed by a St John’s student and made with a 3D printer.

The amount of effort and work put into the tournament was rewarding according to the St. John’s students.

"It's very nice to know that we're helping families coming to Peterborough and the surrounding area," said Reed Lain, 13, St. John's grade 8 student. "Not many people have done stuff since Covid, everyone's been inside so it's pretty good for the teams playing."

Each school had two girls and boys represent their respective schools to play in the doubles tournament while contributing $100 for each team.

The girls’ tournament was held on the first day with the boys’ on the following day.

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Peterborough Stands With Ukraine Fundraiser Raises Over $9,000

Peterborough Stands with Ukraine fundraiser, hosted by a local group of volunteers on April 30, raised over $9,000.

THE TEAM LEARNING TO MAKE PEROGIES AHEAD OF THE FUNDRAISER. PHOTO COURTESY OF JENNIFER SCRIVER.

Krystal LeBreton, Steph Logan, Kateryna Sysoieva, Jennifer Mahoney Scriver and Kaitlyn Cavanagh came together to host ‘Peterborough Stands with Ukraine’ at St. Theresa Elementary School.

The event featured a raffle, silent auction, bake sale, a 1 km race and home made perogies.

The idea for a fundraiser happened when LeBreton was chatting with Sysoieva, who is from Ukraine.

Now, after raising over $9,000, the funds will be split three ways.

Part will be sent to Sysoieva’s sister, who still lives in Ukraine and is volunteering on the ground there.

Funds will also be donated to Meest, an organization that is delivering humanitarian supplies to Ukraine, and to World Central Kitchen, an organization delivering fresh meals to recently liberated Ukrainian cities.

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Runner's Life Launches Inaugural "Fast & Furriest" Fundraiser Run For Lakefield Animal Welfare Society; PetValu Relocates Next Door

Multisport store Runner’s Life is hosting its first “PetValu Fast & Furriest” 5k/10k & 1k Run/Walk in support of the Lakefield Animal Welfare Society (LAWS).

Additionally, PetValu (Chemong Road location) declared their relocation next door to the recently-vacated Family Thrift Store in a joint announcement Friday morning.

(From left to right) Sandy Andrew, Pat Valu co-owner; Gemini the cat; Terry Guiel, Downtown Business Improvement Area executive director; Tucker the dog and Jane Nahrgang, LAWS adoption and shelter coordinator. Pet Valu is the main sponsor for the inaugural ‘PatValue Fast & Furriest’ run/walk. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The event runs on June 25 at 9:30 a.m. at Del Crary Park. It is the first run/walk Runner’s Life has been able to run in two years.

“We’ve missed out on staple events like the St. Patrick’s Day 5k, YMCA Run, Run for Mental Health & Butterfly run for years and couldn’t be more thrilled to have events like this back in our downtown core,” said David Dame of Runner’s Life and race director.

The run is a great way for anyone who wants to get themselves active after being weighed down from the lockdowns of Covid according to Dame.

“We're going to bring people back together which is a huge step,” he said. bring them downtown and we're going to bring health and fitness back into the community so three big steps in the right direction.”

The route is a five kilometre loop of Little Lake in Del Crary Park. Participants can do once or twice with scenic views of Del Crary Park, Beavermead Park, the new Canoe Museum and Little Lake. A kids’ There will be a kids’ one-kilometre fun run within the park in running at the same time.

The money raised goes towards LAWS since the pet population has almost doubled during the pandemic according to Dame.

Animal care is the biggest cost that the non-profit shelter has to cover according to Jane Nahrgang, LAWS adoption and shelter coordinator

"It all goes directly towards the animals," she said. "Our biggest thing is veterinarian bills, the care and the shelter."

Craig Andrew, Pet Valu co-owner pets Gemini atop a cat tower in the store. Gemini lives at Pet Valu as the store cat. Customers are allowed to interact with her and other animals within the pet shop. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Pet Valu is doubling their store size as they are moving next door on June 3.

The store will grow from 3,000 to 6,000 sq. ft. with new features such as pet grooming and a public dog wash; the first-ever in Peterborough according to Craig Andrew, Pet Valu co-owner.

"(The dog wash) It'll be near the rear of the store where customers can come in and wash their own dogs," he said. "It's quite glorious, how it looks. It's a much more roomier store and grooming on site."

Registration and details — including other running events — can be found at runptbo.com

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