Photos: Rotary Club Rides Armour Hill In Half a Canoe to Promote 37th Annual Carl Oake Rotary Swim

The Rotary Club of Peterborough are continuing their daredevil antics as former president Wayne Harding went down Armour Hill in half a canoe to promote the 37th annual Carl Oake Rotary Swim on Saturday.

Last year, the swim raised more than their goal of $50,000. Over $1.3 million has been raised to date. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Harding has helped promote the event with past stunts such as being pushed in a shopping cart off a dock into Clear Lake and paddling the Lift Lock while firefighters sprayed him with fire hoses. Last year, Harding went down Armour Hill in a kiddie pool filled with water. Harding immediately agreed with half a canoe for this year’s stunt.

“One of our rotary club members Graham Wilkins owns Paluski canoes,” he explained. “He basically said 'I have half a canoe that I think that would be a great thing for you to go down the hill' and I did it with no thought.”

The annual Swimathon is on March 3 at 7 a.m. at the YMCA of Peterborough. The public is encouraged to participate in the event or perform a virtual swim or splash at home while raising funds and sharing it on social media tagging the fundraising’s Facebook page.

Participants can register as an individual or as a team online where they will be assigned a fundraising page. The public can also make a donation directly via the website and receive an instant tax receipt.

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Tickets Are Now On Sale for YWCA Annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser

Tickets are now on sale for the 19th annual YWCA Empty Bowls fundraising event at The Venue on Feb. 25.

photo courtesy of Ywca.

YWCA Empty Bowls ticket holders will visit The Venue (286 George St. N) between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and will have 30 minutes to browse and select a hand-crafted bowl. These bowls were generously donated by local artisans of the Kawartha Potters Guild and Kawartha Woodturners Guild.

Each $50 ticket also includes a local restaurant coupon card featuring discounts from various partnering restaurants and businesses, redeemable for six months.

“In Peterborough, 1-in-7 households are experiencing food-insecurity,” says YWCA manager of nourish Joëlle Favreau. “Every ticket for YWCA Empty Bowls helps individuals and families most at risk of experiencing food insecurity put fresh, local, affordable food on their tables, while also supporting the systemic changes required to end food insecurity and poverty.”

All proceeds from the event directly support YWCA Nourish Food programs throughout Peterborough City and County.

“We’re extremely grateful for the continued support of our community and our sponsors, including Kawartha Cardiology Clinic, Cornerstone Family Dentistry and The Venue, who truly understand that food insecurity is a critical health issue and a core barrier for women experiencing gender-based violence,” says YWCA executive director Kim Dolan.

Purchase you tickets online or by calling YWCA Peterborough Haliburton. For more information, contact Ria Nicholson at 705-743-3526 x113 or via email.

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Local Fraternity Having 48-Hour Outdoor Campout To Fundraise For Housing Insecurity On Feb. 10-12

The 12th annual Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) in a Box fundraiser returns on Feb. 10 - 12 to raise awareness about housing insecurity in the Peterborough and the Kawarthas announced on Tuesday.

(LEFT TO RIGHT) Members of the TKE fraternity CHRISTOPHER MILLS, BRENDAN ALEXANDER, OSCAR FUCHS AND MARCUS FUCHS HUDDLED IN A MAKESHIFT STRUCTURE WITH HAY AND A TARP IN THE COLD AT THE VENTURE NORTH PARKING LOT ON GEORGE STREET NORTH on Feb 5 & 6 last year. File photo.

Volunteers from (TKE) student fraternity are camping for 48 hours to raise funds and awareness about the need for affordable housing in Peterborough with proceeds going to support Habitat for Humanity Peterborough and the Kawarthas. The goal is to receive $5,000 with $600 already raised.

Various shelter-based organizations in the city have benefitted from this event including One City Peterborough, One Roof, and Habitat for Humanity from 2017-2020 according to a press release.

“We selected Habitat for Humanity again because we believe that their work towards developing housing for low-income families is going to positively impact the Peterborough community,” says former TKE President, Alexander Mills. “As a student who works part-time, I have found that it is hard to find affordable housing while being able to pay for tuition, the increasing food prices, and other living expenses. I have been very fortunate to be able to afford these things, but I can see that the number of people in our community who can no longer afford basic living expenses has risen and continues to rise.”

The event is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. on Feb. 10 until 4 p.m. on Feb. 12 in the parking lot of the Venture North at 270 George St. N.

“We are very happy to be partnering with TKE again to raise awareness for affordable housing,” says Jenn MacDonald, Communications & Donor Services Manager at Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region. “Too many working families in our community do not have stable or secure housing and are one eviction notice away from the threat of homelessness. With escalating rent prices and a vacancy rate of less than 1%, this event helps highlight the precariousness many in our community are facing.”

Funds raised will support Phase 2 of Habitat’s condo project, bringing 12 affordable units to the City of Peterborough according to a press release.

To donate to the fundraiser, you can visit their page online.

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James Strath Students Raise Over $4,500 for Habitat for Humanity

James Strath Public School’s student-run character council raised $4,520.65 for Habitat for Humanity Peterborough and Kawartha Region through their basket raffle fundraiser.

Photo courtesy of Krista McNamara.

James Strath’s character council is made up of 46 students Grades 6 to 8 whose goal is to better their school community with fundraising and goal-setting initiatives.

These students chose Habitat for Humanity as a charity partner, then planned and executed fundraiser.

“I actually didn’t know about the fundraiser until about a week before they announced it,” says Habitat for Humanity communications and donor services manager Jenn MacDonald. “We’re appreciative of any support, but I was blown away by how much they were able to raise.”

The students more than doubled their $2,000 fundraising goal, raising just over $4,500 through themed basket raffles.

James Strath teacher Mr. Wade gets his head shaved by henry’s barber shop in front of the school to celebrate surpassing the fundraising goal. Photo courtesy of Krista McNamara.

MacDonald says the funds raised will go towards Habitat build projects, such as the 12-unit affordable condo building at Leahy’s Lane.

“We’re really happy to say that any financial donations that come to (Habitat) go 100 per cent to the construction of our affordable housing. I’m excited to follow up with the kids and show them through the build process what their support has done for the community,” MacDonald says.

Character council has organized a number of different fundraising efforts throughout the school year, including a food drive for Kawartha Food Share and making blankets through Cuddles For Cancer for the Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

“We thought since we raised money for food, which is a need in our community, and made blankets which provided community members with warmth, that the next need would be shelter,” said James Strath teacher Krista McNamara. “Habitat is one of those organizations that always puts the community first and as schools are the hub of our community, we really need to blend together and support each other.”

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Peterborough Lakers Auctioning Mann Cup Jerseys For Kawartha Food Share and Parkinson's Society

The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers are auctioning off their 2022 Mann Cup championship jerseys with proceeds being donated to Kawartha Food Share and the Parkinson’s Society announced on Wednesday night.

Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Century 21 Lakers.

The auction is being hosted online beginning on Feb. 4 at 10 a.m. and closing on Feb. 8 at 7 p.m.

It currently has 18 lots up for bid including jerseys from Robert Hope, Shawn Evans, Joe Resetarits, Thomas Hoggarth and more.

The Lakers beat the Langley Thunder in seven games to win their fourth-straight Mann Cup.

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Winterfest 2023 Fundraiser In Support of Five Counties

Join Five Counties Children’s Centre for family-friendly, in-person and virtual fun during their Winterfest 2023 fundraiser.

Five Counties Children’s Centre staff members Linsey Kampf, Lyn Giles and Lisa Graham are ready to hop aboard Winterfest. Photo courtesy of Five Counties.

Winterfest 2023 is set to include virtual and in-person activities which will offer lots for families to do as the event transitions back to ‘normal’ since the pandemic. In-person events will happen on the Family Day weekend at malls in Peterborough and Lindsay, ending with a Peterborough Petes’ home game on Family Day Monday. There will also be an online auction, a variety of fun, family-friendly events and a ‘thank you card’ contest for kids starting Feb. 1.

In 2022, Winterfest raised nearly $20,000 to support the programs and services provided by Five Counties to more than 6,000 children and their families in Peterborough City-County, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County and Haliburton County.

“If you suffer from the winter blahs, Winterfest 2023 is a great way to celebrate the season with fun, in-person and virtual activities for the entire family,” says CEO of Five Counties Children’s Centre Scott Pepin. “Taking part in Winterfest also helps support the life- changing work provided by Five Counties to help kids with physical, communication and development needs in our communities.”

Winterfest 2023 festivities include:

• Feb. 1 to Feb. 28 – Winterfest kicks off with the first-ever ‘Thank You Card Contest’ for Kids. Show appreciation to Five Counties supporters by writing words, creating a drawing or colouring a picture that says ‘thank you.’ Kids can enter to win prizes, and one child’s artwork will be selected and featured on Five Counties thank you cards. Find contest rules and colouring sheet samples on the Five Counties website.

• Feb. 16 to Feb. 21 – Check out the many Winterfest Virtual Events available, including a workout with the Peterborough Petes, winter scavenger hunt, story times, baking demo, snow creature contest and magic show.

• Feb. 16 to Feb. 21 – Winterfest’s Online Auction featuring a selection of hand-made quilts, artisanal wood items, gift cards, kids’ toys and more. Register online to join the bidding. 

• Feb. 18 – In-person, family-friendly fun Winterfest activities at Lansdowne Place mall (645 Lansdowne St. W) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Feb. 19 – Winterfest festivities coming to Lindsay Square Mall (401 Kent St. W) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Feb. 20 –  Cheer on the Peterborough Petes as they host the Sudbury Wolves. Take part in a raffle and have a chance to win prizes, all while supporting Five Counties.

Canadian Tire stores in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg, Campbellford and Fenelon Falls return as Winterfest’s lead sponsor in 2023.

“Winterfest is a great way to embrace the season, while supporting the valuable work being done by Five Counties,” says Canadian Tire Peterborough South owner Ralph Moulton. “We’re proud and pleased to again be able to assist a great community event and organization.”

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Local Shoppers Drug Mart Campaign Raises Over $10,000 For YWCA Crossroads Shelter

Donations to the 2022 LOVE YOU Giving Shelter campaign by Shoppers Drug Mart raised $10,638 in support of the YWCA Peterborough Haliburton for women experiencing gender-based violence announced Wednesday.

file photo.

“We’re thrilled with the success of the LOVE YOU by Shoppers Drug Mart fall fundraising program to grow women’s health and would like to thank everyone who participated. Each year, our customers and staff demonstrate their generosity and their commitment to supporting women in our community, and we couldn’t be more proud of everyone’s contributions,” said Shoppers Drug Mart owner (High St., Chemong Road and Lansdowne St. locations) Mohan Joshi. “YWCA Peterborough Haliburton plays a critical role in our area, and the proceeds from this year’s campaign will go a long way to helping them support women who are fleeing abuse.”

This annual campaign is national in scope, yet locally based, with customers and employees donating directly to women’s shelters in the community to ensure that resources and programming are available to meet the needs of women across the country.

“Your generosity fuels YWCA intervention programs that make it possible for women and children to safely escape violence and rebuild their lives. Thank you for helping to ensure that strong, reliable support continues to be available in our community,” said YWCA executive director Kim Dolan.

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CMHA Hosting Eight-Hour Relay For Mental Health and Supporting Housing Program On Jan. 22

The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) is hosting an eight-hour Ski Relay for mental health on Jan. 22 at the Kawartha Nordic Ski Club from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. announced on Friday.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Kawartha Nordic Ski Club

The relay is in collaboration with Wild Rock Outfitters and Peterborough Kawartha Nordic Ski Club with the opening ceremonies prior to the relay.

Proceeds go towards CMHA HKPR’s Garden Homes Project through the Supportive Housing program. The project supports vulnerable individuals who are at risk of homelessness in the Peterborough area by providing affordable, small homes. Small, custom-built housing for individuals or small families within Peterborough.

“Much of our community has been challenged with access to affordable housing. Through the support of this fundraiser, we hope to develop creative solutions to a highly complex issue in our region,” says Mark Graham, CEO.  “With low vacancy rates and many people facing homelessness, this initiative is needed now more than ever.”

“As a worker in Peterborough’s downtown, I walk from my home in East City on my commute to work and have seen the struggles of people experiencing homelessness. The Garden Homes Project will be a step forward in addressing the housing crisis in the area,” said John Hauser, ski relay organizer.  “The relay seemed to be a great way to bring community together to raise funds for this much needed cause.”

The event includes food, music and games. You can register as an individual or as a team; or donate to the cause online. For more information contact event organizer John Hauser at johnh@wildrock.net.

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‘A Hand Up’ Free Concert at Junction in Support of Community Organizations

A free concert in support of various community organizations to be put on at the Junction Nightclub on Jan. 22.

photo courtesy of DreamTeam Concerts.

DreamTeam Concerts, in partnership with Kawartha Food Share and United Way Peterborough & District (with support from the Peterborough Police Deputy Chief Tim Farquharson) have launched the emergency fundraiser to raise funds for both the United Way and Kawartha Food Share.

These organizations were chosen because of their integral community support through the unprecedented challenges the community may face around homelessness, poverty, mental health and addictions. These organizations supply many other local charities and programs with resources to be able to help the community as well. 

The lineup includes the musical talents of Ty Wilson, Jesse Slack, SJ Riley, Baz Littlerock and Tyson Briden, High Waters and Bowie Lives Unplugged.

A silent auction will be available with many items donated from local Peterborough businesses.

There will be opportunities to donate in many ways at this event, though DreamTeam says those who are unable to make it can donate through the GoFundMe page.

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GoFundMe Created To Help Young Girl Diagnosed With B-Cell Leukemia Days After Fourth Birthday

It may not be the best present for four-year-old Ellie Bell as she was diagnosed with B-Cell leukemia shortly after her fourth birthday but a GoFundMe was set up to aid the family.

Bell after meeting Santa Clause at Lansdowne Place Mall while she got her face painted. Photo courtesy of Natalie Campbell.

Bell received the diagnosis four days after her fourth birthday (Dec. 12). She was release from the hospital after spending 10 days according to a Facebook post from her mother.

It began as what the family thought was a high fever and Bell was taken to the Peterborough Regional Health Centre. She was eventually taken to SickKids Hospital on the same day for several tests including blood work, x-rays and ultrasounds.

The second day, Bell had to be put on a feeding tube while already on five days with no food or fluids according to the GoFundMe page. It was revealed that she respiratory syncytial virus, urinary tract infection and rhinovirus resulting in a a prescription of heavy antibiotics and receiving a blood transfusion (which gradually helped her condition).

On Bell’s 10th and final day at the hospital — which was her birthday — she received a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy because her cell line numbers were still low as stated in the GoFundMe. She was released from the hospital that day. During that time, Bell’s mother had openly asked friends and family to send videos wishing her a happy birthday.

Bell was readmitted on Thursday for a lumbar puncture and her first round of chemotherapy. I was administrated directly into her spine to prevent the cells from travelling to her spinal fluid and brain. A second round of chemotherapy on the same day.

On Friday, Bell will ‘receive a port line inserted in her chest to prevent two years worth of needle pokes’ according to Natalie Campbell, Bell’s great aunt.

Bell began junior kindergarten however her treatment will take roughly two to three years and is unable to return to class until the following school year. The parents have taken time off work to care for her during the recovery process.

“Our top priority is making sure Ellie has the love and support she needs to stay strong, as well as getting more answers in the coming weeks to further determine her prognosis,” said Campbell.

The GoFundMe was created by Campbell on Thursday that has already seen short of $5,000 of the $10,000 goal.

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