One City Peterborough Needing Volunteers For StopGap Drop-In Centre
/One City Peterborough is seeking volunteers for donation sorting and food preparation among other job positions.
photo courtesy of Peterborough dbia.
Peterborough Blogs
New Canadians Centre Seeking Volunteer Board Members
/The New Canadians Centre is looking for board directors to support newcomers and refugees by joining the governance team that shapes and advises the organization’s priorities.
photo by david tuan bui.
Since 1979, when a dedicated group of volunteers committed to supporting refugees fleeing Vietnam, the New Canadians Centre has grown to provide a wide range of programs and services that support the empowerment and inclusion of people who are new to Canada.
The NCC also takes an active role in community development and is one of the founding organizations of the Peterborough Immigration Partnership which mobilizes the community to implement a 5-year community immigrant integration strategy.
They serve more than 1,000 newcomer clients annually, who can access a variety of programs and services such as settlement counselling, employment counselling, language assessment, transitional support, workshops (taxes, citizenship), English conversation groups, women’s group, skills training, youth programming/activities and recreational outings.
The NCC encourages community members with diverse backgrounds to apply; those who are able and willing to give 5 to 10 hours per month of their time for this valuable work. They are also looking for volunteers with experience relevant to NCC’s programs and services, and with an interest in governance and leadership.
If you are interested in this opportunity, visit the website to access the information package and application form. Applications to join the board will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Feb. 26.
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Community Care Peterborough Celebrates International Volunteer Day on Dec. 5
/Community Care Peterborough (CCP) is celebrating the impact its volunteers have in the lives of community members through International Volunteer Day (IVD) for Monday.
Selwyn Volunteer Driver Bill Sova goes the extra mile, decorating his vehicle for the holidays to bring extra joy to transportation clients. Photo courtesy of Community Care Peterborough.
Volunteers deliver Meals on Wheels, drop off groceries, drive clients to appointments, call and visit with them, provide well-being check-ins and more. Most rides take place locally and to neighbouring communities, but transportation to medical appointments outside of the County of Peterborough can be arranged.
With volunteer support, clients are able to live independently at home and out of hospitals and long-term care facilities.
“I am continually amazed and impressed by all that they do, and I know that volunteer contributions have huge impacts on the lives of so many,” said Darci Maude, CCP’s volunteer development coordinator. “We thank our volunteers for their continued support.”
Each day, the efforts of over 650 volunteers make it possible for over 6,200 seniors and adults with physical challenges to receive a wide variety of programs and services.
CCP’s clients say that transportation services help them remain independent and connected with the community.
“The transportation services provided are critical to my ability to lead a fairly normal life. Also, I’ve gained new friendships and have been given opportunities to expand my social connections. Transportation services have been so crucial for my psychological health, too,” said a client who receives drives through CCP’s Transportation Program.
To learn more about CCP’s IVD efforts or to get involved, visit the website.
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City Releases Video of 2021 Peterborough Civic Awards Ceremony
/A video of the 2021 City of Peterborough Civic Awards presentation that recognized local volunteers and their contributions to the community was released on Monday.
Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.
Nominations for the annual civic awards were received this year for achievements in 2021.
“Congratulations to the citizens being recognized for their outstanding contributions to Peterborough in 2021. While we wish we could be together to celebrate the recipients of the Civic Awards, this video tribute is meant to show our appreciation for all that they have done to make Peterborough a special place,” said Mayor Diane Therrien. "The tireless work and dedication of this year’s award winners continue to make our community proud."
The winners were announced via video presentation to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The 2021 Civic Awards recognize the following nine award recipients:
Community Betterment:
East Peterborough Lions Club
Mapleridge Recreation Centre volunteers
Helen Falls
Liz Roberts
Carol Grant
Jane Northey
Jane Owles
Dennis Healey (posthumous)
Volunteer of the Year:
Suzanne McMillan
Lifetime Achievement:
Dr. Ramesh Makhija
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Down Syndrome Association Looking For Volunteers At Annual Kawartha Tri Sport Tournament
/The seventh annual Kawartha Tri Sport Tournament to benefit the Down Syndrome Association of Peterborough is looking for volunteers for Sept. 10 from 12 - 8 p.m.
Photo from Kawartha Tri Sport.
Kawartha Tri-Sport is a three day, three sport tournament that challenges teams with golf, three-pitch and ball hockey.
There is a division for men and women.
Since it’s inception, Kawartha Tri Sport has raised over $115,000 for local charities.
Proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the Down Syndrome Association of Peterborough, Five Counties Children’s Centre and the Alzheimer’s Society of Peterborough.
Representatives from the Down Syndrome Association will be on site on Saturday and are looking for volunteers to run 50/50, umpire ball games, offer support as needed and to cheer for athletes.
Those interested should email info@downsyndromepeterborough.ca.
Peterborough Humane Society Is Welcoming Back Volunteers Ahead Of Moving To Their New Home
/The Peterborough Humane Society has put a call out for volunteers on social media, ahead of their big move to a new facility.
File Photo.
PHS will move to their new facility on Technology Drive in a few months, the post stated.
Those interested in volunteering will assist with shelter needs like walking dogs, socializing cats, event representation, administrative duties and more.
For more information or to begin the volunteer onboarding process contacts Sarah Armour s.armour@ptbohs.com.
Springbrook Man Returns From Ukraine Farm With A Full Belly A Grateful Heart And Plans To Return
/Springbrook’s David Black has returned from a three weeks of helping at a Ukrainian farm and is already planning his return.
David, Ivanka and her family. Photo courtesy of David Black.
When Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, Black couldn’t sit back and watch.
His first plan of action was to travel to Poland and help to to transport those fleeing Ukraine away from the Poland/Ukraine border.
He and another man stayed for three weeks, drove thousands of kilometers around Europe and delivered many individuals and families to a safe place. When Black returned to Canada he knew he had to go back to help, but decided after too many hours in a vehicle he needed a different approach.
Through connections he made on his first mission, he was put in contact with a farm in need of help in the rural town of Polonne, Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Government has exempted farmers from military duty, though Black points out that many are still volunteering, leaving many farms without adequate help.
Ivanka and her brother Sasha. Photo by David Black.
Black’s journey began on June 9, when he took off from Toronto with a suitcase of medical supplies he planned to deliver to a mutual friend in Lviv. Thanks to delays, he arrived in Lviv later than expected, when the city was already under curfew, meaning the supplies could not be picked up. The new plan became getting the supplies to Kyiv, no matter what.
Sitting in the cabin of his train, a paramedic from California approached Black. Perhaps grateful he had found another English speaker, Black soon learned that this man was heading to Kyiv.
“I said to him ‘I think we were meant to meet’,” said Black.
The paramedic took the supplies and Black later received an email saying ‘please know you saved lives’.”
David’s host Ivanka. Photo by David Black.
Upon arriving at his new home for the next three weeks, Black says he was greeted with massive servings of borscht, language barriers, incredible hospitality and many new friends.
The permaculture centre, Nasivanky, consists of 5 hectares of greenhouses, fields, flowers, organic crops and plenty of heirloom plants. It is lead by a woman named Ivanka, who Black came to refer to as ‘boss lady’.
“She became ‘Boss Lady’,” he said. “She was so sweet but when it came time to give an order everyone listened.”
Ivanka lives at the farm with her family, while her younger brother Sasha is serving in the military.
Sasha was able to return home for a visit during Black’s stay.
“He volunteered the day the war started. They were so so happy to have him back for a while.”
After three weeks of labour, big meals and tours around Ukraine, Black returned to Canada.
Upon his return, he is already planning his next trip, back to Nasivanky.
“I plan to go in October but even if something happens, if I need to go sooner or later, I’ll get there no matter what.”
Black says that while he did plenty of work there he doesn’t feel like he made a huge difference, but that wasn’t the point.
“People ask me if my labours on the farm really made a difference and no, they did not,” he said. “But what made a difference was the boost to the morale for the people. that somebody else in the world cared. The gratitude that they have for Canada is immense, it really is. A lot of people say ‘Why don’t you just help somebody here?’ well everybody can help somebody here. Not everybody can pick up and do what I did. So let the people here do what they can do, and let me go do what I can do.”
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United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes Seeking Volunteers For Seniors Workshops
/United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes is currently seeking volunteers aged 55 or older to collaborate on a steering committee to implement a Seniors Health and Wellness Workshop Series.
stock photo.
The series of six workshops will be held throughout Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County from July – December 2022, in partnership with local agencies and delivered by industry leading facilitators. Workshop topics, dates, venues and evaluations will be determined through the steering committee
They are looking for individuals who have a strong understanding of the community that they reside in, are sociable and are willing to meet in person or online for planning sessions.
Time commitment for the opportunity will be 3-5 hours per month for 6 months. To apply, fill out the volunteer form at ckl-unitedway.ca/volunteer-form/ or call Jen for more information at 705-878-5081.
This project is funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.
Peterborough's Pathway to Fame Inducts Eight New Names For 2022
/The class of 2022 Pathway to Fame has been released as eight new names to be recognized as arts and/or humanitarians of the Peterborough area announced on Wednesday.
Last year’s induction ceremony was limited to 50 people due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo courtesy of the Pathway to Fame, Peterborough & District.
The inductees will be honoured on Sept. 10 at Showplace Performance Center. Their stones with names and categories will be marked at Del Crary Park on the same date.
The following is a list of the inductees:
David Carley (Dramatic Arts)
With more than 450 Canadian and American stage, radio and television productions having resulted from his storytelling talent, including several locally-staged plays, David Carley has won and been nominated for, a number of honours, including a Governor General’s Award finalist distinction.
Kate Suhr (Entertainment)
Blessed with abundant musical and theatrical talent, PCVS graduate Kate Suhr has sung and acted her way into the hearts of audiences both near and distant while always taking the time to unselfishly perform in support of organizations and causes right here in her native Peterborough.
Ryan and Sam Weber (Entertainment)
Ryan and Sam Weber came to Peterborough from Maryland in 2000 to learn all they could about making and performing music from the legendary Ronnie Hawkins, learning very well to the tune of numerous studio albums, memorable performances locally as well as across North America and Europe and charitable support of several local causes.
Donald Glen Forde (Cultural/Community Betterment)
As a former executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough, Donald Glen Forde set the organization on the path to success, all while contributing to his community as a minor hockey executive and as a multi-instrumentalist who performed with the likes of Del Crary and Bobby Kinsman during big band music’s heyday.
Jacob Rodenburg (Cultural/Community Betterment)
For more than 30 years, Jacob Rodenburg has made environmental stewardship, sustainability and education his business, not only as executive director of Camp Kawartha and as a Trent University environmental education teacher but also as a developer of forward-thinking ‘green’ related programs and initiatives.
Lois Tuffin (Cultural/Community Betterment)
From the time she arrived in Peterborough, former newspaper editor Lois Tuffin has tirelessly employed her considerable communication and organizational skills to the benefit of a number of causes and events including the Great Turkey Exchange that she started and has since fed more than 17,000 people during the holiday season.
John F. (Jack) Bardeau (Community Builder)
A combination of musicianship, service work and sports involvement saw John F. (Jack) Bardeau rarely sit still during his 44 years in Peterborough, the RCAF veteran’s work supporting the hearing impaired as a member of the Telephone Pioneers earning him Bell Canada’s Community Chest Award for Outstanding Citizenship.
David Adams (Community Builder)
For 26 years, David Adams was the face of the Five Counties Children’s Centre as its foundation’s executive director, endlessly promoting and heralding the groundbreaking treatment provided children with physical, communication and developmental needs while volunteering his time for a wide variety of community organizations and events.
2022 is the 25th anniversary of The Pathway of Fame, Peterborough and District.
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Rotary Club of Peterborough Holds Gala To Celebrate Centennial Anniversary
/The champagne bottles were popping for the Rotary Club of Peterborough as they celebrated their 100th anniversary with a gala at the Fleming College Ballroom on Saturday night.
