Peterborough and area residents can support high-demand treatment services for kids with developmental disabilities by taking part in two upcoming fundraisers in support of Five Counties Children’s Centre.
Two events — one new and the other a returning favourite — are coming up in February and benefit clients of Five Counties.
Candlelights for Kids is an evening outdoor family skate on February 10 at the Ontario Speed Skating Oval in Lakefield. The Next Gen Game with the Peterborough Petes takes place on the afternoon of Family Day, which is February 19, with a pre-game family skate prior to the Petes facing off against the Kitchener Rangers at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.
“The intent of both of these events is to raise funds — but we hope, also some fun for families,” said Bill Eekhof, communications co-ordinator for Five Counties Children’s Centre.
“We don’t have any set fundraising goals but proceeds from both will go towards our Building Abilities for Life (BAL) campaign. Our overall fundraising goal for BAL is $500,000 this year; money raised from BAL goes directly to support high-demand treatment services at Five Counties,” Eekhof explained.
High-demand treatment services include speech, occupational, and physio therapies provided to local children and families.
Last year’s Petes’ Family Day game raised approximately $3,000.
Money generated through BAL is above what Five Counties receives from the provincial government, allowing the centre to serve more kids in an effort to reduce wait times, Five Counties noted.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Peterborough Petes and the Ontario Speed Skating Oval on these two separate events that will offer family fun and support the life-changing work that we do every day,” said Lyn Giles, director of fund development for Five Counties. “Come out and embrace winter activities and help ensure more kids get the treatment they need, when they need it, to be the best they can be.”
Candlelights for Kids is the first-ever joint fundraiser for Five Counties and the Ontario Speed Skating Oval. The February 10th event takes place at the oval at 3358 Lakefield Rd. in Lakefield.
Weather permitting, families can lace up for outdoor skating on the oval by candlelight. Two skating sessions will be available, with one from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and another from 7 to 8:30 p.m. There will be hot chocolate and food at the venue.
Tickets are $10 per adult and $5 per child. Tickets are limited and will be available at the end of January on the Ontario Speed Skating Oval website at ontariospeedskatingoval.com.
At the Next Gen Game with the Peterborough Petes, attendees can participate in a pre-game family skate starting at 1 p.m., with the game beginning at 2:05 p.m. A silent auction fundraiser, face painting, giant LEGO and more will be held during the game.
“Five Counties kids will take part in behind-the-scenes experiences at the game, including playing the role of coach, scout, general manager and PA announcer,” Five Counties noted.
Game tickets are available directly from Five Counties for $15 each by calling 705-748-2337 ext. 248 or by emailing development@fivecounties.on.ca.
Five Counties Children’s Centre provides speech, physio, and occupational therapies, as well as other treatment services for kids and youth from birth to age 19 years in the counties of Haliburton, Northumberland, Peterborough, and the City of Kawartha Lakes.
This past year, Five Counties served more than 6,200 children and youth in its region — the highest number of clients in its nearly 50-year history.
