2nd Annual Mayor Bennett Giving Gala Raises Over $70,000

On Saturday night, more than 200 members of the Peterborough community gathered for the second annual Mayor Bennett Giving Gala.

This special night raised over $70,000 this year in support of the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough, the amazing organization working with and supporting charities throughout the City and County of Peterborough.

"I am delighted with the tremendous support for the Giving Gala," said Mayor Bennett. "Our community members have once again demonstrated their generous and caring spirit, which serves as an important reminder of who we are and what we believe in."

This sold-out event provided guests with an opportunity to connect with many like-minded individuals, companies and organizations who are interested in helping to a build a vibrant and strong Peterborough.

The proceeds from the evening will support the Community Foundation in its mission to improve the lives of people in the City and County through local giving, grant making and community development initiatives.

Find out more about the Foundation and its work in the community here.

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Peterborough Ice Bowl In Support Of Kawartha Food Share

The Peterborough Ice Bowl 2013 is February 16th in support of Kawartha Food Share. The cost is $15, plus a food donation. You can email icebowl@peterboroughdiscgolf.com to register. Learn more on the Peterborough Disc Golf Club website. Watch the promo for the event below...

Peterborough Ice Bowl 2013 from Jeff Jaynes on Vimeo.

[Vimeo]

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Local Food Bank Really Needs Your Donations

[UPDATE: Sorry, once again CHEX has disabled their embed code in video below, not allowing us to share this video with others.]

CHEX Newswatch reports on the continuing need for donations to the food bank Kawartha Food Share in January and February, due to a spike in the need for food.

[CHEX Newswatch]

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3,000 Canadians Needed To Donate Blood By End Of This Year, Including 200 In Peterborough

Here's a PSA from Canadian Blood Services...

December 21th, 2012 (Peterborough) — As we approach the Christmas holiday and turn the page on another year, Canadian Blood Services is asking eligible Canadians to “GIVE A HOLIDAY MIRACLE” by donating blood during the days around Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Collecting blood during the holiday season is a challenge, as many donors go away or are busy with other activities. Yet many patients will spend their holiday receiving cancer treatment or undergoing life-saving surgery and emergency care. During the weeks of December 24 and December 31, Canadian Blood Services estimates a need of 25,000 units of blood to give holiday miracles to hospital patients across Canada.

In order to meet this blood collection goal, we still need 3,000 more Canadians to book appointments and donate blood between now and the end of the year. In Peterborough, we need 206 donors to donate blood in order to help meet this goal.

“We’d like to thank Canadians who took the time to donate blood so far this holiday season, but we need that generosity to continue through the end of the year,” says Sue Harris, Community Development Coordinator.  “As the year draws to an end, do something that embodies the spirit and generosity of the season—give blood. It costs you nothing, and it’ll give someone a holiday miracle.”

There are plenty of opportunities to donate blood this holiday season.

Peterborough Blood Donor Clinic
55 George St. N.

Open

Saturday Dec 22^nd 8am – 12noon

Monday Dec 24^th 10am – 2pm

Thursday Dec 27^th 3pm – 7pm

Friday Dec 28^th 8am – 12noon

Platelets, which are derived from blood donations, are of particular concern around the holiday season. Because platelets only have a shelf life of five days, it is not possible to “stock up” ahead of time. Patients with diseases such as cancer need large quantities of platelets as part of their treatment. It is critical that our clinics are full of “miracle workers” over the holidays to meet the need for platelets.

Please visit us online at Blood.ca or call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) to book an appointment to donate today. To help meet the continuing need for blood, donors who have an appointment in the coming weeks are urged to honour it.

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The Three Loonies Hit The Street This Morning

From 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. this morning (December 14th), The Three Loonies (Bob McGillen, Peter Blodgett and Rob Bennett) will hit the street in support of Kawartha Food Share, which will help make a difference for thousands this Christmas in our community. You'll find them at the corner of King and George Streets at The Wolf and Kruz FM so please stop by, give a loonie or two and make a difference!

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Add A Red Pashmina To Your Holiday Gift List In Peterborough

Help out an important cause and pick up a red pashmina for that special someone this holiday season. This Peterborough-based initiative partners with Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan, and proceeds from the sale of the red pashminas are directed to advancing education and educational opportunities for Afghan women and their families. To learn more about the Red Pashmina Campaign and how it empowers women there and locally, visit their website, Facebook or Twitter page. Pashminas can be purchased for $20 at Tango, Glow Maternity, The New Canadians Centre, YWCA, My Left Breast, The Benevolent Stranger, Joie de Vie and Sympathy for the Rebel. 

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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PMZ Captures Footage Of Teddy Bear Charity Toss At Peterborough Memorial Centre

PMZ captured this footage below of 1,600 stuffed toys being tossed onto the ice during last night's game between the Petes and Kingston at the Memorial Centre (the Petes won in OT 3-2!). Fans donated the teddy bears, and Ricky's All Day Grill donated all the toys—and 25 cents from each bear—to the Salvation Army Christmas Toy Drive.

[YouTube; PMZ]

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PTBOCanada Pics & Coverage: 1st Annual Chairs For Charity At The YMCA

Last night (December 5th), the Peterborough YMCA hosted their 1st Annual Chairs for Charity event. Chairs were sponsored by local businesses and services, and were refurbished by some very talented women to be auctioned off to raise money for the YMCA's Strong Kids Campaign. There were a few bidding wars as folks gave their support to this great cause—and the chair sponsored by the Silver Bean Café will now be sitting in the living room of Kruz FM's Catherine Hanrahan! For those of you that were unable to make it to last night's event, there are still several chairs that remain as part of the silent auction, which will remain open until Monday, December 10th at noon. Just pop by the front desk before then and ask how you can submit your bid and see the chairs. Great job to Emily Gray and all the volunteers that made this come together! —PtboCanada's Julie Morris

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NHL Alumni Greats Play Against Local Law Enforcement All-Stars In Peterborough This Saturday

Come on out this Saturday (December 8th) and support Special Olympics Ontario while watching NHL alumni greats play against members of the Peterborough Lakefield Community Police Service and the Law Enforcement All-Stars.

The game takes place at 6 p.m. at the Peterborough Memorial Centre, and local hockey fans get a chance to meet the likes of former NHLers Curtis Joseph, Marty McSorley, Dave Reid, Mike Krushelnyski and Todd Harvey.

The Law Enforcement All-Stars includes approximately 16 members of Curtis Josephthe Peterborough Lakefield Community Police Service.

Fans will also be treated to a skills competition featuring the players—and some on-ice jokes. As presenting sponsor, Scotiabank will give one lucky fan the chance to win a $2,500 investment product in the "Scotiabank Shoot for Cash" between periods.

Doors open at 5 p.m., and the puck drops at 6 p.m. For ticket information, go to Benefithockey.com or call 1-877-431-0685.

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YMCA Hosts First Annual Chairs for Charity Event For Their Strong Kids Campaign

On Wednesday, December 5th, the YMCA will be hosting their first annual Chairs for Charity event beginning at 7 p.m. at the YMCA. Over 20 chairs will be auctioned off by Rusland's Auctioneers—each sponsored by local businesses, such as Rambling Rose, Gypsy Barn, Brio Gusto and many more. The chairs will be on display at the YMCA beginning Saturday, December 1st right through to the evening of the auction. For more info on this event for the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign, go to their Facebook page.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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