Community Care Peterborough Recipient of 2023 Smile Cookie Campaign Beginning In May

Community Care Peterborough (CCP) is the beneficiary of this year’s Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign proceeds as they were selected by the café owners of Peterborough, Lakefield, Bridgenorth and Curve Lake stores this May announced on Wednesday.

(from left to right) Erika Howe–Gallagher, Ryan Graham, Donna Annett, Mary and Greg Blair with last year’s results of $92,608.26. Photo courtesy of Community Care PEterborough.

Typically held in September, Tim Hortons across the County is now running the annual campaign in May.  It begins on May 1 and runs until May 7.  All proceeds from chocolate chunk Smile Cookie for $1.50 (plus applicable taxes) go towards CCP’s Give a Meal, Give a Drive initiative and its other community support programs.

“Although we have many clients who do not struggle, we have an increasing number who do,” said Alicia Vandine, donor relations and communications lead. “Many more seniors and adults with disabilities are making difficult choices about cutting food costs or missing medical appointments to reduce travel costs in order to remain in their home.’

Last year, Tim Hortons locally raised a record-breaking $92,608.26 while $15 million was sold over Canada.

“We are so honoured to be selected again this year and our staff and volunteers teams will be working alongside the Tim Hortons teams to help with production again this year, icing cookies and answering questions in restaurants about Community Care,” said Vandine. “We encourage the public to visit their local Tim Hortons during the new campaign week of May 1st to May 7th to purchase a Smile Cookie and maybe, we can even break last year’s record and sell 100,000 cookies.”

Members of the public can also pre-order a box of 12 cookies by visiting CCP’s website to download a pre-order form that you can drop off at your local Tim Hortons restaurant.

Participating locations:

In Peterborough

• 721 Ashburnham Dr.

• 1527 Water St.

• 1200 Lansdowne St. W.

• 336 Lansdowne St. E.

• 871 - 875 Chemong Rd.

• 157 George St. N.

• 645 Lansdowne St.W.

• 55 Park St. N.

• 81 Hunter St. E.

• 898 Monaghan Rd.

• 1781 Lansdowne St.

• 1420 Crawford Dr.

• 1901 Lansdowne St. W.

• 949 Highway 7 E.

• 110 Chandler Cres.

In Lakefield

• 139 Queen St.

In Bridgenorth

• 758 Ward St. N.

In Curve Lake

• 1420 Mississauga St.

The Smile Cookie campaign began in 1996 as a way to help raise funds for the Hamilton Children’s Hospital in Ontario and has grown to become a major fundraising event at Tim Hortons Restaurants. 

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Pizza Hut Raises $2,000 for Epilepsy Peterborough On Purple Day

The colour purple meant a $2,000 cheque to Epilepsy Peterborough as Pizza Hut made the donation from Purple Day fundraising efforts on March 26.

Thom Appleby, Executive Director of Epilepsy Peterborough (left) with MARC HARTENBERG, PIZZA HUT CO-OWNER (RIGHT) at the George Street Pizza Hut location. Photo courtesy of Pizza Hut Peterborough.

March was Epilepsy Awareness Month when Pizza Hut ran a one-day fundraising campaign as staff were wearing purple to raise awareness for the condition. Ten per cent of sales from four Pizza Hut locations went towards Epilepsy Peterborough. Customers also donated money atop buying pizza to support the fundraiser according to Marc Hartenberg, Pizza Hut co-owner.

“We want to thank everyone for your support,” he said. “The funds raised will be staying local to support Epilepsy Peterborough.”

The following were the participating locations:

• 901 Lansdowne St. W., Peterborough

• 705 George St. N., Peterborough

• 132 Queen St., Lakefield

• 1 Commerce Rd., Lindsay

Hartenberg has been diagnosed with epilepsy after being in a bike accident when he was young. 2006 was the last time he suffered a grand mal seizure which causes a loss of consciousness and violent muscle contraction. Hartenberg only suffers from absence seizures that cause him the space out a few moments.

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Peterborough Petes Raise Over $20,000 For World Kidney Day For PRHC

The Peterborough Petes have raised a final total of $20,560.29 during their World Kidney Day fundraising campaign with proceeds supporting lifesaving delivery of dialysis treatment at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) announced on Tuesday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The game was in recognition of Andrew Verner, Petes associate coach, who was diagnosed with glomerulonephritis in 1999 and received a kidney transplant on March 9, 2021, exactly two years before the fundraising game night. Verner and his wife Allison (who is an organ donor) was honoured at the ceremonial puck drop along with Dr. Vincent Cheung.

A silent auction featuring various pieces of signed NHL memorabilia and a donation page for Verner set up by the PRHC Foundation were ways the team had raised money towards the cause. Lynda Johnson and the Petes Booster Club also donated $3,000 to the cause on March 15.

The Petes look to sweep the playoff series Wednesday night for game four against Sudbury as the Wolves will have to muster a massive comeback to keep their postseason alive.

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Five Counties Returns Second Year of Backyard Summer Social Fundraiser To Support Kids Therapy

The second year of Five Counties Children’s Centre’s (FCCC) Backyard Summer Social fundraiser returns on June 24 announced on Tuesday.

$45,000 was raised in last year’s inaugural event. Photo courtesy of FCCC.

The event is in FCCC’s outdoor backyard space that was created almost four years ago. The space is primarily used for outdoor treatment and therapy for kids and clients.

The inaugural raised more than $45,000 last year and went towards critical, high-demand treatment services for kids at FCCC.

All money raised goes towards FCCC’s Building Abilities For Life Campaign. It helps high-demand services such as speech therapy and occupational therapy in an effort to reduce long waiting times for these critical services.

“We know kids do better when they have the immediate support they need to learn to communicate, be heard, move independently and carry out everyday activities that many of us take for granted,” said Lyn Giles, FCCC director of fund development. “That’s why we invite everyone to come out to our Backyard Summer Social to have fun and show their support for Five Counties children and their families.”

This year’s event features music, food, entertainment, fun activities and doubles as a high-end gala experience for adults with a summer twist.

“Our Backyard Summer Social is an adults-only gala event that celebrates the arrival of summer, lets you be like a kid again and allows you to swap out the tux, gown and heels for T-shirt, shorts and sandals all the while supporting a great cause,” said Giles. “Our initial Backyard Summer Social was a smashing success, and we plan to make it even bigger, bolder and better in 2023.”

Tickets are available online, via email (development@fivecounties.on.ca) or by calling or calling 1-888-779-9916, ext. 300 and are $125 per person.

A charitable tax receipt, all food, one drink ticket, live music, access to all activities and door prizes ballots are included in the admission.

Features of the Backyard Summer Social include:

• Fantastic food/fare catered by La Mesita and SKH Catering

• Sweet treats from Central Smith and Flossophy

• Drinks from Rolling Grape and Brock Street Brewery

• Musical performances by Irish Millie and the Boogie Time Ramblers

• Live auction and door prizes

• Axe throwing, lacrosse shootout, inflatable jousting, old-fashioned picnic games and more

• Behind-the-scenes tour of Five Counties’ Peterborough location

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Local Business Owner Raffling Custom Tufted Rug In Support of Youth Emergency Shelter

Local business owner Clara Paquette is raffling a custom tufted rug from her business Shag Rags with all proceeds going to support the Youth Emergency Shelter (YES).

photo courtesy of clara paquette.

Paquette is in her second year of the Child and Youth Care program at Fleming College. She started Shag Rags a little under a year ago as a way to make some money while in school full-time.

Those interested can find Paquette’s rugs at First Friday Art Crawls and the Milk and Tea boba shop downtown Peterborough.

“As someone who is looking to be a child and youth worker myself, I absolutely love and adore what (YES) does, but they are in some desperate need of support and donations,” said Paquette. “When I saw the YES Shelter Instagram page share that they needed funding for some serious issues, my heart broke knowing how difficult it must be for them right now. But seeing how I am doing my placement at a local school full time, along with school assignments and running my own business I felt like I didn’t have anything to give, money or time.”

Photos courtesy of Clara Paquette.

This is when, Paquette says, she had the idea to do the rug raffle.

For the giveaway, Shag Rags is selling tickets at $5 each for a raffle to win a free, 2x2 custom tufted rug.

“I own my own business making custom tufted rugs, and often do giveaways as a way of saying thank you for all the support I get, but I knew that if I did a raffle style that it could bring in a lot of support,” she said. “I’m already giddy with how much money has been raised!”

She notes that there is no limit to the amount of tickets one may purchase, and 100 per cent of the money from ticket sales will be going to the YES Youth Shelter.

Raffle tickets are on sale until Easter weekend. Tickets can be purchased online at the Shag Rags website.

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100 Women Peterborough Raises $10,000 for Peterborough AIDS Resource Network at First Meeting of the Year

The 100 Women Peterborough group came together for their first meeting of the year on March 21 to raise $10,000 for the Peterborough AIDS Resource Network (PARN).

photo courtesy of 100 women peterborough.

PARN was chosen by 100 Women Peterborough’s majority vote to receive the funds. The philanthropic group has supported local charities for five years, and donated over $164,000 to local community causes since its inception in 2018.

Peterborough AIDS Resource Network provides support and health promotion for people who are living with, affected by, or at-risk for HIV in the four counties of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton. They provide education and equipment for people at risk for HIV, hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections.

PARN has been serving the community with both outreach and programming for LGBTQ+ youth and women who are living with, affected by or at-risk for HIV and continue to hold community capacity building projects, workshops and awareness to the broader community. They provide a variety of services including counselling, workshops and information on progression and treatment of the condition for those affected and their families. The organization also provides referrals to service providers, basic necessities to those in need and assistance with other health issues. 

“All donations received will be going to women actively involved with our organization by compensating their time and contribution toward continuously improving the services they want to receive,” said Dane Record, executive director of PARN. 

In PARN’s presentation to the members, Record stated the importance of working with volunteers in the community to fulfill their mission as an organization. 

“The Women’s Advisory and Women In Action committees are two of the most passionate, hardworking committees that show up frequently to lead our community work and continue our mission to prevent new HIV transmissions and promote HIV/AIDS awareness in Peterborough City and County,” said Record.

“Our philosophy at 100 Women Peterborough is to come together as a group to make a big impact. Through our giving group we not only empower women to engage in philanthropy in a meaningful way that is budget friendly, but we also provide a quick, easy and transparent way for the charities to access donors and funding,” says Rose Terry, one of the founding members of 100 Women Peterborough. “We are providing a space for the collective voice to be heard.”

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Fill the Boot and Support Muscular Dystrophy Awareness With the Peterborough Professional Fire Fighters Association

Help Canadian Fire Fighters Fill the Boot for the 2022 fiscal year and raise critical funds and awareness for Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC).

photo courtesy of stephanie page.

Fire fighters have answered MDC’s call for more than 67 years. Those who donate are making a difference for all Canadians affected by neuromuscular disorders and ensuring more of these individuals can access the programs, services and supports they need.

Every year, starting usually in October, Stephanie Page of the Peterborough Professional Fire Fighters Association (PPFFA) says boot drives, ladder sits, car pulls, car washes and all types of fundraising events are hosted to help raise funds for muscular dystrophy.

Page, who has newly taken on the donations committee role for Peterborough’s local department a few months ago, says with their raffle and the Peterborough Axe Throwing Club event from March 17, she hopes they’ll have hit over $1,000 raised.

“(I’m) in awe with how many funds firefighters have raised in the last few years,” said Page. “I’m excited to kind of take the reins on that and start it back up again, and then hopefully continue making it an annual thing.”

photo courtesy of stephanie page.

Page will soon be representing her department at a muscular dystrophy conference at the end of April.

She’ll get to network with other departments and discuss the effectiveness of their fundraising efforts, Page shares.

“I was honoured to be invited and hopefully I can gain some insight on what to do in the following years- and with more time,” Page said. “People have been really supportive, we’ve got a bunch of volunteers on the committee who try to get donations from local businesses.”

Donations for this fundraiser need to be submitted by March 30, though people can donate year round. The website is always open for donations and donating directly to the Peterborough team via the website.

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Dr. J's Hosting Viewing Party For Douro's Cody Crowley's Vegas Bout On Saturday Night

Ahead of Douro boxer Cody Crowley’s biggest fight in Las Vegas, boxing fans can view his fight at Dr. J’s BBQ & Brews viewing party and aid his ‘55 for Team 55’ fundraiser on Saturday night.

Photo courtesy of Cody Crowley.

The viewing party’s $20 admission fee goes toward Team 55: Let’s Tackle Suicide Awareness and the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Assertive Outreach for Suicide Prevention program.

Crowley has a 21-0 record with nine knockouts. He is fighting Abel Ramos in the Showtime pay-per-view at a Premier Boxing Champions event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. A Team 55 patch is being worn on his trunks for the fight.

Crowley dedicated his fight to his late father Jim Crowley who ended his own life last year. Cody pledged to raise $55,000 for Team 55. There was $18,840 already raised from a raffle with the grand prize of ringside tickets, flight and accommodation to see the fight.

Addison Brown, owner of Dr. J’s BBQ and Brews, has been Cody’s friend for the past eight years and is proud to support him in whatever way possible.

“When he was looking for sponsorships throughout Peterborough, I reached out to him saying ‘I’ve been following you and growing up as an athlete, I’ve had a lot of support with the community and I wanted to sponsor you for the next fight,’” explained Brown. “We grew and developed a relationship. He helped me when I was going through some things about my brother and I did with his father.”

Reservations for the fight can be made at the Dr. J’s website.

Cody spoke at a Team 55 Friday Night Lights fundraiser in 2017 that sparked a friendship with Dave Pogue, Team 55 founder who lost his son Mitchell to suicide.

“Cody’s commitment to fundraising in the name of his father, through his international boxing platform not only is commendable but amazing, as far as we are concerned at Team 55,” he said. “Since 2017, Cody has been a great supporter of our mental health and suicide awareness programs and for him to commit to raising $55,000 for Team 55 this year will help keep our Assertive Outreach for Suicide Prevention program running for another year and a half.”

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Hometown PTBO: Marc Hartenberg and Pizza Hut Raising Money for Epilepsy Peterborough For "Purple Day" and His Diagnosis

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday speaks with Pizza Hut Co-owner Marc Hartenberg who has been diagnosed with epilepsy about how he got his condition and how Pizza Hut is raising money with 10 per cent of all total sales going towards Epilepsy Peterborough for Purple Day on March 26.

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19th Annual YWCA Empty Bowls Raises Over $33,000 in support of YWCA Nourish Food Programs

The 19th Annual YWCA Empty Bowls campaign raised $33,104 to support their Nourish Food Programs held at The Venue on Feb. 25, announced on Wednesday.

PHOTO COURTESY OF YWCA.

“Our hearts are so full,” said Kim Dolan, YWCA Executive Director. “When I pause to think about all the people and all the time that goes into making this event possible year after year, I’m overwhelmed by the good in our community.”

Ticket holders received a handcrafted ceramic or wooden bowl and a restaurant coupon card, entitling them to discounts from 12 participating local restaurants. These include Amandala’s, Baked 4U, Black Honey, Central Smith, Fresh Dreams, Naked Chocolate, Pastry Peddler, Sam’s Place, That’s a Wrap and The Cheesy Fromage. 

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