Douro's Cody Crowley Nearing $55,000 Pledge Through Team 55 For CMHA To Raise Suicide Awareness

Douro Boxer Cody Crowley has almost reached his fundraising goal of $55,000 through the local suicide initiative Team 55 for Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) announced on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of CMHA.

At the start of the year, Crowley and his family pledged to raise $55,000 for Team 55, which supports CMHA HKPR’s Assertive Outreach for Suicide Prevention program (AOSP). The program connects with individuals who have had a suicide attempt and helps them establish a safety plan and connect to support services according to a press release.

In March, Crowley raised $20,000 through a local viewing party at Dr. J’s BBQ and a raffle for two to fly to Las Vegas to attend his match in the Welterweight Title against Abel Ramos.

Last Saturday, Crowley and his family hosted an inaugural golf tournament, the Heart Opener, at Keystone Links in memory of his father, Jim Crowley and Michael Wood. The event saw over 100 golfers and raised over $28,000.

“On top of how successful both of these fundraising initiatives were, the biggest impacts have been the connections that have been formed within the community and the continuation of my own healing from my father’s passing,” said Crowley. “ A lot of love has and will continue to be exchanged as we heal together as a community and prioritize mental health and wellness.”

Individuals can donate by going online and selecting ‘Cody Crowley Campaign,’ from the drop-down menu.

“Let’s continue changing the narrative around mental health and working together as a community to make resources accessible to all,” said Crowley.

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Video: Cody Crowley Hosting Inaugural Team55 Tackles Suicide Golf Tournament Fundraiser For July 8

As part of Cody Crowley’s pledge to raise at least $55,000 for Team 55 Tackles Suicide initiative, he is hosting his inaugural charity golf tournament at Keystone Links Golf on July 8.

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Trent University's 17th Annual President’s Excalibur Golf Tournament Fundraises For Student-Athlete Scholarship

The 17th Trent University President’s Excalibur Golf Tournament saw 76 golfers hit the links at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club on Thursday.

Trent University kinesiology graduate Grace Sanderson making a putt with onlookers cheering her on to help kick off the 17th Annual President’s Excalibur Golf Tournament. Last year’s event took place at the Quarry Golf Club. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The fundraising event is for Trent Excalibur Green and White Scholarship Fund. It is awarded to exceptional first-year student-athletes at Trent University who have an 80 per cent (or above) average The event’s annual goal is to raise at least $50,000 annually. Over $575,000 has been raised through this tournament for the fund.

The day included 18 holes of golf, a barbecue lunch, a golf gift, on-course refreshments, a silent auction and dinner with an awards presentation.

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Celebrate Summer Solstice with Right to Heal at Farmhill Weddings

Right to Heal Peterborough invites the community to experience a Summer Solstice event at Farmhill Weddings on June 20– where Heaven and Earth unite on the longest day and shortest night of the year.

photo courtesy of right to heal.

“Summer solstice is a time to honour the sun, and our ancestors celebrated these times in the Wheel of the Year with community gatherings,” explained Liz Shaughnessy, organizer with Right to Heal.  “We planted our seeds of intentions in the spring, and the springtime is a time for action. Summer is the time of nourishment and to take care of the things we planted.”

The fundraising campaign focuses on community healing, with all proceeds going towards funding the Right to Heal organization.

“Right to Heal was born as a way to bring funding to our area to help people who are struggling,” Liz explains. “My mom has been fighting for 20 years for this to happen, so that’s also why we’re doing this fundraiser.”

“It’s a time to reflect on the first half of the year, set your intentions for the summer, and sunset meditation. Then we end the evening by letting go of what no longer serves us during a powerful fire ceremony,” she continued. “That’s why (the event) is happening on the summer solstice, because we’re looking to nourish our community and to get excited about what we’re trying to achieve locally. We are helping the people on the streets, or those that are hiding behind closed doors who people don’t know have an addiction.”

Those interested in this event can celebrate Summer Solstice with Right to Heal at Farmhill Weddings (2709 Dillon Road, Peterborough) from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on June 21.

The summer solstice is a sober event, and will feature a guest speaker who has been through Right to Heal’s services, as well as raffles from local businesses and a number of outdoor activities including a sunset meditation.

For tickets and more information visit the link.

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Third-Annual 'Be a Saint" St. Joseph's At Fleming Golf Fundraiser Tournament In Full Swing

Roughly 80 golfers hit the links at the third-annual "Be a Saint" St. Joseph's at Fleming fundraiser at the Quarry Golf Club on Thursday afternoon.

Celebrity golf entertainer and instructor Todd Keirstead getting the trust of Jennifer Armstrong as he rockets a tee shot off her as one of his many trick shots. Keirstead was a guest entertainer at the 15th hole at the Quarry Golf Club. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

All proceeds go towards St. Joseph’s to upgrade its infrastructure since the long-term care home is roughly 20 years old and needs work according to administrative coordinator Sarah Cox.

“Being a building that runs every day of the year, 24/7, there are some capital upgrades we need,” she explained. “Flooring, our HVAC systems, new technology, medical equipment, things like that are what we are trying to raise money for the 200 residents that live at St. Joseph's.”

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Cox said last year’s event raised roughly $26,000 and aims to meet if not exceed that goal for the tournament’s third inception. The ultimate goal over the next few years is to raise $3.5 million.

“We're about $1.6 million into that so there's still a few years to go,” said Cox. “We do different fundraisers all year around, Christmas mailings, stuff with the families at St. Joseph's to get them involved. Just different fundraisers to raise money towards that $3.5 million.”

A silent auction was held after the tournament as an additional source to raise funds for the not-for-profit long-term care home.

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Peterborough Humane Society in ‘The Home Stretch’ of Ongoing Our Pet Project Capital Campaign

The Peterborough Humane Society has launched ‘The Home Stretch’ campaign to raise the $3 million needed to meet the Our Pet Project capital campaign fundraising goal for the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre at 1999 Technology Drive.

Photos courtesy of the Peterborough Humane Society.

PHS moved to the new location in January 2023, with a grand opening celebration planned for June 24. However more funds are needed to bridge the gap and meet the organization’s campaign goal. To date nearly $10 million has been raised; the remaining $3 million will be used to pay off the construction loan.

“This centre was built for the community, by the community. We are close to our goal, and need some additional support to close out the fundraising gap so we can dedicate all of our efforts and future funding to go directly to the care, programs and services for animals in need,” said Shawn Morey, executive director of the Peterborough Humane Society. “We are incredibly grateful to all our donors that have helped us along the way. Our community’s amazing support has helped us make this decade-long dream of becoming a premier animal wellness organization a reality. This home stretch will allow us to finish the project, and allow us to set our sights on supporting more animals and individuals for generations to come.”

The move from the original 6,000 square foot shelter on Lansdowne Street to the 24,000 square foot Centre on Technology Drive in Peterborough has allowed for a Canadian-first with three programs under one roof; the Adoption and Education Centre, Peterborough Regional Spay/Neuter Clinic and the Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre run by the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society.

Since the move less than 5 months ago over 200 animals have been adopted, and over 1000 have been spayed/neutered with 13 dogs being rehabilitated.

“We have already seen a tremendous impact on our community since moving into our new facility, and we are hopeful that more donors will join us to allow us to reach our goal, and allow us to provide even more programs and services to support our local and regional communities,” concluded Morey. “We encourage folks to come and visit the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre. Our doors are open, and we look forward to continuing our organizational mission within this incredible new Centre. We’re in the home stretch– but our commitment to improve animal wellness will never stop.”

Donations can be made online, over the phone or in-person at PACC (1999 Technology Drive). Naming opportunities and major gifts can be discussed with Si Grobler (manager of donor relations) at s.grobler@ptbohs.com or 705-760-4451.

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Second Annual Gary Dalliday Memorial Golf Tournament Hits Peterborough Golf & Country Club Aug. 14 In Support of Community Care Peterborough

The launch of the second annual Gary Dalliday Memorial charity golf tournament has been set for Aug. 14 at the Peterborough Golf & Country Club in support of Community Care Peterborough announced on Tuesday morning.

Last year’s inaugural event was held at the Quarry with 99 golfers and raiser over $20,000 for COmmmunity Care Peterborough. Dalliday passed away on Aug. 10, 2018. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This year’s event welcomes 144 golfers to participate at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club, a change of venue from last year’s event which was held at the Quarry.

“We wanted to have the tournament here then Covid hit,” explained Pete Dalliday, son of Gary. “The Quarry was great last year and we appreciate what Doug and everyone did but I think it was always meant to be here.”

Proceeds will go to the Community Care’s Meals on Wheels program. It provided food to seniors living alone, adults with disabilities unable to cook or get groceries or recently discharged patients from hospitals. Dalliday often delivered meals on the organization’s behalf for the program. The money raised will also go towards the Caremoblie program that provides accessible transportation for seniors or adults with disabilities in the City and County.

About $20,000 was raised from last year’s event and this year’s goal is looking to get $30,000 according to Alicia Vandine, Community Care donor relations.

“We only receive about 50 per cent of our funding from the Ontario Government so as you can imagine, fundraising is as important as we're seeing the need for seniors really increase,” she said.

Participating golfers will receive 18 holes to play at Peterborough Golf and Country Club, a barbecue lunch, dinner and a chance to win prizes at a silent auction.

Registration, sponsorships or auction donations can be made online at the Community Care’s website.

The tournament’s idea spawned from his grandson Nick who previously did a placement with Community Care.

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Queensville Players Theatre Group to Host Benefit Concert for Rowghan MacHart’s Transition Home June 17

The Queensville Players community theatre group is hosting a benefit concert for cast member Rowghan MacHart on June 17; raising funds to support the re-fitting of her home with wheelchair accessible features.

photo courtesy of the queensville players.

After a collision on Hwy. 7 claimed the lives of 52-year-old Stefphanie Hart, 46-year-old Jonathan MacDonell and 18-year-old Riddick Hart in November of 2022, the Queensville Players of Keswick, Ontario are hosting a benefit concert for now 14-year-old Rowghan Hart who suffered life-altering injuries as a result of the accident.

Karin Simpson, president of the Queensville Players group and musical director for the show said that all four family members had roles in their production of Disney’s High School Musical, with Riddick playing Troy Bolton.

“Over the course of three months, we would rehearse anywhere from nine to twelve hours a week, and the MacHart’s would come all the way from Peterborough to Keswick,” Simpson said. “For the three hours (round-trip) to get there, and the three hours to rehearse, they came as a family. It was important to them that they did the show together.”

A week before the show started, Simpson says the crew was in the theatre everyday rehearsing. She says she remembers how close they all grew to each other as the MacHart family would stay at her home on occasion.

On Sunday, November 20 the group had another run of their show at the Stephen Leacock Theatre.

“People came from all over to see the show and were left raving about it, but (the cast) was really sad on that Sunday because we knew it wouldn’t be until Wednesday that we’d get to see each other again,” recalls Simpson.

It was that Tuesday, November 22 that the accident happened on Hwy. 7 near Drummond Line.

The next day, Simpson and the cast of the High School Musical production gathered at the theatre with a trauma team, sharing fond memories of the MacHart family. At the time Simpson recalls not knowing if Rowghan was going to live due to the injuries she sustained.

“We stayed there in the theatre and just held space with one another,” she said. “We had to cancel the show, there was no way we were going to go on with the level of grief that we all felt. Their roles were not replaceable.”

It was after the tragedy that Simpson says the Queensville Players knew they needed to do something for the MacHart family.

“When a tragedy like this happens you always feel helpless because you want to help so much, but of course the one thing that everybody wants in the world is the one thing that you can’t do- to bring them back,” said Simpson. “So with this (concert) we just want to wrap Rowghan in as much love from the community as possible and support her financially, emotionally and physically through whatever we can do.”

The Queensville Players High School Musical cast having a reunion lunch with Rowghan earlier this month. Photos courtesy of Karin Simpson.

As a part of the event, two Ed Sheeran concert tickets to his June 17 show at the Rogers Centre in Toronto were raffled off, and on the day of the benefit concert there will be more raffle items and a 50/50 draw to participate in.

All proceeds from the Rowghan MacHart Benefit Concert will go towards the renovation of her home, making it wheelchair accessible.

“She’s going to face a lot of challenges, and there are many things that we’re not going to be able to foresee happening in this moment,” said Simpson.

She says the Queensville Players intend to support Rowghan through a similar benefit concert next year as well.

“The need for support will be an ongoing thing and the desire to be there for her will also be everlasting,” she said.

The matinee concert will take place at 2 p.m. June 17 at the Stephen Leacock Theatre in Keswick. Tickets are available for purchase using the link.

For those who wish to donate to the MacHart family GoFundMe, follow this link.

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Photos: Fifth Annual Annie’s Pace Global Adventure For Heart Health Awareness Kicks Off

Smith (left) has worked as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor for 28 years. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Annie Smith has kicked off her fifth annual Annie’s Pace Global Adventure to raise heart health awareness in a four-day Walk-a-Thon and Spin-a-Thon at the All the Right Moves Fitness Studio in Omemee.

Smith encourages anyone to join in on her for as long as they want as she’ll walk 80-120 km on a treadmill during the four-day span from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. A barbecue fundraiser is also being held on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Her campaign encourages others to post their heart stories and/or weekend activities on Smith’s Facebook or Instagram page while tagging themselves during the event.

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

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Omemee Woman Hosting Fifth Annual Heart Health Awareness Campaign With Four-Day Spin-A-Thon and Walk-A-Thon

Omemee’s Annie Smith is raising heart health awareness for a fifth straight year through Annie’s Pace Global Adventure (APGA) in a four-day event beginning this Friday.

File Photo.

Smith is hosting a walk-a-thon and spin-a-thon at All the Right Moves Fitness Studio in Omemee, encouraging those to ride a bike or walk with her — for as long as people wish — as she attempts to go 80-120 km on a treadmill during the four-day span from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. A barbecue fundraiser is also being held on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

APGA 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 are doing that day to stay active and keep their hearts healthy.

“Your life is worth one hour a day,” said Smith.

The campaign has people participating all over the world in countries such as Hong Kong, Scotland, Greece, the USA, Switzerland, Australia and more.

“It’s about the world, it’s about creating the healthy habit,” said Smith.

The proceeds go towards the Test Your Limits (TYL) Initiative at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre and Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research at UHN in Toronto. The funds help in research for heart failure and transplantation.

The fundraiser’s goal is to raise $6,500 this year, trying to raise $25,000 over five years.

Smith is a Personal Trainer and group fitness instructor for 28 years. She was diagnosed with cardiac sarcoidosis, an invisible, rare, incurable and life-threatening disease, in 2016. Her physical capabilities have become limited ever since.

Her campaign encourages others to post their heart stories and/or weekend activities on Smith’s Facebook or Instagram page while tagging themselves during the event.

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

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