Peterborough Blogs
Santa Claus is Coming to Dr. J's For a Good Cause
/Dr. J’s BBQ and Brew is inviting the community to come say hello and get a picture with Santa Claus, on Dec. 5, and donating the proceeds to Kawartha Food Share.
Saint Nick will be at the restaurant from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. ready to take photos with families by appointment.
Each appointment is five minutes, and requires a minimum donation of $10. Participants must take their own photos, there will be no photographer on scene.
100 per cent of the money raised will be donated to Kawartha Food Share.
“It’s just a great way to give back,” said Addison Brown, owner. “Trying to wait in line at the mall to see Santa Claus can sometimes be a bit of a nightmare, so I thought it would be fun to do something at Dr. J’s while giving back.”
Brown says he always tries to give back this time of year, and is also hosting a fundraiser for the Canadian Mental Health Association.
On Dec. 17 and 18 from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. Dr. J’s will be offering Christmas wrapping for a minimum donation of $20.
To book an appointment with Santa click here.
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Lakefield Foodland To Provide Those In Need With Turkey For Christmas
/Lakefield Foodland will be brightening Christmas for local families by giving away free turkeys to those in need.
Sarah Blestoe at Lakefield Foodland. Photo courtesy of Lakefield Foodland.
“A lot of people can use a helping hand at this time of year especially now. We want to offer our assistance to the people in Lakefield and area,” said Ross Blestoe, co-owner. “Despite a significant shortage of turkeys available this holiday season, we have worked with our partners to secure enough Frozen Grade A turkeys to give away to those in need. We support a lot of local charities, non-profit organizations and sports groups, but this turkey give-away lets us put our assistance ‘right on the table’ for those who need it most.”
Turkeys will be given away, one per family, on Dec. 15 between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. while supplies last.
Recipients are asked to show I.D. with an address.
For further information contact Ross Bletsoe 705-652-3999, rbletsoe@lakefieldfoodland.com or Ian Bletsoe 705-652-8232 Ext. 317, ian@lakefieldfoodland.com.
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Making a List and Checking it Twice: Lynn's Flowers and Gifts in Norwood is Getting Ready to Launch Annual Naughty and Nice List
/Lynn’s Flowers and Gifts in Norwood is gearing up for another year of fundraising with their annual Naughty and Nice list.
Santa’s helpers Kevin, Megs and Trixie check up on the Naughty and Nice list weekly. Photo courtesy of Lynns Flowers and Gifts.
For the last four years the flower shop has hosted a Naughty and Nice list.
Customers donate a minimum of $5 to get their own name or the name of a friend on their choice of the naughty or nice list - which is posted in the shop. They can either give a reason as to why they have been put on either list or ‘resident elves’ Trixie and Megs will find a reason.
If someone finds a name on a list and they think it’s in the wrong spot, they can match the donation to move it to another list.
“We try to encourage people to come in to either try to get their name off the naughty list, or put someone else there,” said Megan Wilson, daughter of shop owner Lynn Wilson. “It’s kind of like a big game, a big rivalry thing while raising money.”
From Nov. 24 until Dec. 8 Trixie and Megs will post updated videos to Facebook highlighting new additions to the list. Santa’s brother Earl has also been known to make an appearance.
This year all donations will go to the Norwood Food Bank and Hospice Norwood.
“We chose Hospice this year because we’ve been noticing they’ve been unable to do a lot of fundraising because of the pandemic, so we wanted to get them on our list and raise some money for them this year,” said Lynn.
Since it’s beginning in 2018 the Naughty and Nice List has raised over $4,700 for local initiatives. Last year the list raised $1,400 that was split between the Norwood Food Bank and Community Care.
“This community is such a huge thing for us and I honestly do think it would be a little bit different if we weren’t in such a close knit community,” said Megan. “They support our business 24/7 and especially when it comes to Christmas and doing things like this they are hugely the reason why it’s so successful.”
Ballots for the Naughty and Nice list are available at Lynn’s Flowers and Gifts (2353 County Rd 45) and at The Christmas Corner (2351 County Rd 45), both located in Norwood and owned by Wilson. Ballots can be purchased with cash only.
Every $5 donation gets one ballot for the grand prize draw, which will be announced when the fundraiser is over.
One winner will receive two tickets to Come From Away, a production that has been awarded best musical in North America.
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Buckhorn Festival of Trees Brings the Christmas Spirit to the Community Centre
/The Buckhorn Community Centre is hosting their annual Festival of Trees, starting on Sunday and invites visitors to get in the Christmas spirit in multiple ways.
The annual festival beginning on Sunday features 35 - 40 trees displayed inside the community centre. Trees have been sponsored by local families and businesses.
Tea and Tree days invite guests to admire the display while enjoying some tea and treats. These days will happen on Nov. 22, Nov. 29, Dec. 1 and Dec. 6 at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and Nov. 26 at 10:30 a.m.
Seating is limited to four people per table. This event requires pre registration and costs $10 per person.
Wine and Tree days are on Nov. 26 and Dec. 3 from 4 to 6 p.m.
This event allows eight people per table and costs $18 per person. Charcuterie snacks will be served, drinks will be extra.
Tickets to both events must be purchased in advance by calling the BCC at 705-657-8833.
Tree Days are on Sunday , Nov. 28 and Dec. 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is no admission fee.
At all three events gusts can purchase tickets for a chance to win Christmas décor.
The draw for the décor will take place on Dec. 13 with refreshments served from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The draw will take place at 1:30 p.m.
In the spirit of Christmas the BCC is also hosting a wreath making workshop.
Participants will join professionals in making unique Christmas wreaths out of recycled window frames. Workshops are Nov. 21 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. and Nov. 23 from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Cost is $15 and covers all materials. Space is limited. To register call 705-657-8833.
The BCC is also hosting an outdoor Country Christmas Party Dec. 5 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Register by Dec 1. 705-657-8833
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Voting for The Boro's Holiday Window Contest Opens on Friday
/The Boro’s Holiday Window Contest is underway and voting will open on Friday.
In 2017 TOY SHOP OWNER JEAN GRANT Came FIRST PLACE PRIZE IN THE ANNUAL HOLIDAY WINDOW CONTEST. She donated her $300 prize to The Salvation Army Toy Drive. File Photo.
Local businesses can enter their decorated window on The Boro’s website until Thursday.
Voting is open to community members and will be open from Friday until Dec. 6.
The first place window will receive $1,000, second place $500 and third place $300.
This year’s theme is “Holiday Cheer.”
Community members can vote from their homes by visiting the website or they can use the interactive map to take a tour of downtown.
The map highlights participating businesses as well as hot chocolate stops along the way.
Windows will be able to be seen online when voting opens.
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Youth Emergency Shelter Launches Annual Holiday Wish List
/The YES Shelter for Youth and Families (YES) has published their annual Holiday Wish List, and will continue to update it weekly.
Fundraising Administrator Kathleen Wild, who is coordinating the wishlist, and leading a group of volunteers to organize and wrap all of the holiday donations, so YES workers can distribute gifts to clients over the holidays. Photo courtesy of YES Shelter.
Each year YES asks young people and families that are struggling what items they would like to receive for Christmas. They focus on items that would give them joy, independence or help them enjoy the season.
From now until the end of December staff at YES will update the Wish List each Wednesday.
While the wish list is live all year, the Holiday Wish list features different items.
So far this year youth and families have asked for cosmetics, arts and craft supplies, gift cards for local businesses (especially coffee shops, gaming stores, clothing stores, book stores and nail salons)
“The holidays can be a really rough time for young people and families struggling with homelessness,” said Brooke Erickson, Development Lead at YES. “The YES wishlist not only brightens up the holiday season, but also helps young people and parents feel cared for by their community. It's a chance for Peterborough to show our neighbours that we're here for them, provide some much-needed essentials, and spread the joy of the season.”
YES cannot currently accept any used clothing or items at the shelter. Used clothing, housewares and furniture should be dropped off at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.
The YES Shelter is open 24/7, 365 days a year. They provide emergency shelter to youth and families in crisis. Each year YES serves roughly 250 new clients , in addition to many who have stayed at the shelter before.
The shelter also offers long term transitional housing, alternative classrooms for youth, a food and clothing cupboard and outreach staff to help youth and families access the resources they need.
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Completely Canadian 24 Good Deeds Charity Advent Calendar is Launched Out of Lakefield
/After selling out quickly in 2020, 24 GOOD DEEDS Charity Advent Calendar is back for the 2021 holiday season, this time with a completely Canadian edition.
Bob Gainey displays an advent calendar. Photo Courtesy of 24 GOOD DEEDS.
Much like a tradidional Advent Calendar, each day gives the opportunity to reveal something new. Though instead of a toy or a treat the calendar offers the opportunity to give back in a meaningful way, as well as an educational opportunity for donors to learn about various charities and their initiatives both locally and globally.
Behind every door, there is a different charity and cause that donors have supported with the charitable donation to 24 GOOD DEEDS.
24 GOOD DEEDS was launched in Europe in 2011, though it was just this year that a Canadian edition was launched in Lakefield by Ute Shaw, and spouse Carlos Daniel. The idea came to them while staying at their cottage on Katchewanooka Lake.
“The good thing is that with one donation you’re giving to 24 different charities, but the important thing is you’re not just giving to charities - you’re giving to specific projects within those charities. The money can not go to administration, or paying bills. It has to go to a direct cost of a project,” said Daniel, co-founder. “Charities report back to us next year so we can really see that the money went towards completing a project.”
The calendar is available in English and French, and all 24 Charities are from Canada with projects nationally and internationally.
Bob Gainey, who played for the Montreal Canadians from 1973 until 1989 is a big supporter of 24 GOOD DEEDS and also plays the voice of Santa Claus in the television. commercial.
To order a calendar click here.
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Peterborough Sharing and Caring Gets a Head Start on Christmas Hampers with Food Drive
/Peterborough and Surrounding Communities Sharing and Caring, a local non-profit group, is hosting a Christmas Food Drive at the Real Canadian Superstore in preparation for the distribution of Christmas Hampers.
Volunteers at the Real Canadian Superstore food drive. Photo by Angela O’Grady.
Members from Help Alliance Americas and Lufthansa Group will be at the Real Canadian Superstore daily from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. until Saturday.
Peterborough Sharing and Caring took root in November 2020, to offer support to families and individuals during the holidays in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last Christmas the group put together and distributed 82 hampers to those that needed them.
Since their start, they have been striving to grow to be able to help more people.
“Right now there are people who don’t have a job, people that can’t go out places due to COVID-19, people that just don’t have the money to get what they need for Christmas,” said Brad Hayes, Lufthansa Group.
The non profit recently distributed Thanksgiving Hampers and are now gearing up to put together hampers for Christmas.
This year their most needed items for their holiday hampers are stuffing, canned vegetables, cookies and snacks.
They are also accepting gift items help families and individuals that may not receive anything.
With money gathered from bottle drives, the group has purchased a large supply of Crayola products to include in Christmas Hampers, says Sandra Whitmore, founder of Peterborough Sharing and Caring.
“We will be doing another bottle drive in November around the Deer hunt,” she said.
To request a Christmas Hamper, email Whitmore at sammybou1966@gmail.com. To keep updated on fundraisers and food drives, join the Peterborough Caring and Sharing Facebook group.
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Peterborough Memorial Centre to Host “A Celtic Family Christmas”
/The Peterborough Memorial Centre will host “A Celtic Family Christmas” featuring Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy for the PMC announced on Monday.
Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Memorial Centre.
