Hometown PTBO: 10-Year-Old Emerson Riel As the Peterborough Walk Ambassador for the SunLife Walk To Cure Diabetes for JDRF

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks to 10-year old Emerson Riel about his special connection with Petes goaltender Michael Simpson, being the Peterborough Walk Ambassador for the SunLife Walk To Cure Diabetes for JDRF at Nicholls Oval on June 4 and how he deals with having diabetes on a daily basis.

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Photos: Immaculate Conception School Raises Over $10,000 for Cancer Research

Staff and students at Immaculate Conception CES celebrated raising $10,638.24 for cancer research in memory of Melissa Hinze.

With help and encouragement from Pedal for Hope, Cops for Cancer and Murrdog’s Craft Barbery, two students, principal Andy Sawada and teacher Shane Alderson shaved their heads to support the cause.

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Local Podcaster Partners With Imprinted Apparel to Raise $1,200 For Kawartha Food Share

Local community builder and podcaster Ken John Jones teamed up with Imprinted Apparel to raise $1,200 for Kawartha Food Share (KFS) in a cheque presentation on Thursday morning.

(form left to right) Ashlee Aitken, KFS general manager; Ken John Jones, podcaster and Clinton Smith, IMprinted Apparel Co-owner outside Imprinted Apparel with the cheque. Jones was awarded and recognized as a community builder by MP Michelle Ferreri in March of last year. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The money was raised from merchandise proceeds of Jones’s podcast, “Jonsey’s Corner Podcast” where Imprinted Apparel created the apparel and designed the logo. The printing business matched the funds raised totalling $1,200 for Kawartha Food Share.

“I feel very passionate for what Kawartha Food Share does for our community,” said Jones. “I thought this would be a great opportunity to give back to the community that I call my home.”

Jones started raising the money for a month beginning in early February.

His podcast just reached its one-year anniversary and has featured over 70 guests. They include local athletes, notable community members, artists and other builders.

Jones is a recognized community builder in Peterborough, recognized in March of last year with a certificate. He has volunteered for organizations such as Alternatives Community Program Services and Challenger Baseball.

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17th Jukebox Mania Raises Over $44,000 For Community Counselling and Resource Centre

The music got the community generous as the 17th edition of Jukebox Mania raised over $44,000 for Community Counselling and Resource Centre (CCRC) announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of CCRC.

The event was held last Friday at The Venue. The $44,000 raise was grossed with a net revenue of just under $25,000. The money supports CCRC programs and services.

This was the first in-person Jukebox Mania since 2019 and the first-ever hybrid experience. It had some teams playing in person, while others joined from locations as far as Kelowna, B.C.

“We were so thrilled to see so many people back in person this year,” said Kirsten Armbrust, CCRC Executive director. “Thank you to all of our sponsors, donors and participants for making JBM 2023 fabulous. We are looking forward to seeing you all again next year.”

We Drink Wine, a virtual community team took the top prize this year, followed closely by the Lyrical Labourers and The Wolf/Global/Fresh Radio rounded out our top three.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough Hosting Inaugural MEGABike Fundraiser On June 1

Get up to 30 riders to join in on Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough’s (Peterborough Bigs) first annual MEGABike fundraiser for June 1, announced on Monday.

Photo courtesy of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough.

The fundraiser is to support Peterborough Bigs’s youth who are involved in their programs. The organization is seeking any sponsorships from companies that are ‘looking to be visible in the community.’ according to their press release.

The 30-person bike will ride a two-kilometre loop around Lansdowne and Monaghan. The route starts at Chuck's Roadhouse on Landsdowne St. W. then tours through Monaghan Road, Romaine Street, Park Street and back down Lansdowne.

Ten rides are available for the event with different sponsorship packages available including sending a ‘Big’ on the bike.

Riders are encouraged to coordinate clothing/uniforms as they ride with prizes available to be won for individuals and companies who raise the most money. 

Teams can register online with more information found here.

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Two Weekend Benefits Being Held To Save Sherbrooke Street PJ's Diner From Closing Down; GiveSendGo Created To Help Raise Money

The community is rallying behind PJ’s Diner’s owners Sheri Cunliffe and Adam Jackson as two benefit fundraising events have been created to prevent the restaurant from closing its doors.

A GiveSendGo has been created by Cuncliffe to help keep the business afloat.

Jackson (left) and Cuncliffe (right) purchased the dner four years ago. Facebook Photo.

The diner is struggling to keep up with maintenance costs since the pandemic when the couple purchased the business four years ago.

“We fought to keep this place going knowing it was not going to stop the rent and bills, not to mention this was what our family had to make our home bills,” said Cunliffe in the GiveSendGo.

The Sherbrooke Street diner must come up with $9,000 by Monday or will be evicted according to a GiveSendGo update from April 18. Only $390 raised since this article’s publication.

A breakfast fundraiser is being held at the Sherbrooke PJ’s Diner on Saturday at 9 a.m., encouraging the community to eat there and leave large tips. The second event is at the Red Dog at 1 p.m. Raffles and prizes will be at the benefit gigs according to both Facebook event pages.

Singer and musician Joslynn Burford will be performing live at both events.

“We have given our all to this place and we don’t want to lose it,” said Cuncliffe.

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Peterborough Petes Paying Tribute To Booster Club Founding Member Who Passed Away On March 31

The spirit and memory of Peterborough Petes Booster Club founding member Betty Nelson is being honoured by the team and the Peterborough Minor Hockey Council (PMHC) during game four of the Eastern Conference Semi-Final on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Nelson passed away on March 31, the same day the Petes took a 2-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference quarterfinal against the Sudbury Wolves. 

She was a founding member of the Petes Booster Club and volunteered to sell 50/50 tickets at almost every home game at the Memorial Centre from 1967 until retiring in 2019. She was revered, especially at the Gibson’s Finest Club Section, forming bonds with several fans over the years.

The PMHC, who operates the 50/50 draws, is donating a portion of the proceeds to a fund in Nelson’s name, which will be used to support members of the Petes community. Tickets can be purchased beginning on Wednesday until the end of the second intermission on Thursday night. The largest ever guaranteed 50/50 jackpot has a minimum of $5,000 to be won.

The Petes are paying tribute to the Bosoter Club founding member in a special presentation during the first-period TV timeout on Thursday. Fans are encouraged to show their support and appreciation of Nelson at that time. 

“Having the opportunity to pay tribute to Betty during a playoff game is very special, as she was one of our most passionate supporters throughout all of Petes history and would have been so excited to take part in this playoff run,” said Burton Lee, Petes executive director of business operations. “You could always count on Betty, game-in and game-out and her persistence and commitment serves as a model for so many volunteers that help our team thrive. She will forever hold a prominent place in the hearts of Petes players, staff and fans.” 

The Petes are back in action for game four on Thursday to try and take a commanding 3-1 series over the Ottawa 67’s. Puck drop is at 7:05 p.m.

Click here to purchase 50/50 tickets.

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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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