Food, fun, and fundraising for Five Counties Children’s Centre is on the bill for an upcoming event for the young at heart in support of treatment services for children who have special needs.
Five Counties’ signature fundraising event, its “Backyard Summer Social,” returns on Saturday, June 21 to mark the official arrival of summer.
Linsey Kampf, the annual giving coordinator at Five Counties, shared with kawarthaNOW a few of her hopes for the fundraiser.
“First and foremost, we want people to come out and enjoy themselves at the Backyard Summer Social,” Kampf said. “Our aim is to also fill the backyard with community members so they can see firsthand what Five Counties is like and take part in activities that replicate what our clinicians do with our kids during treatment sessions.”
“Five Counties really hopes that attendees to the Backyard Summer Social will enjoy the experience and leave with a better understanding of the difference the centre is making for families in our community,” Kampf added. “Their support in purchasing a ticket will help Five Counties be able to see more kids, ensuring they get the treatment they need when they need it.”
This year marks the fourth annual Backyard Summer Social, which takes place from 1 to 5 p.m. in the backyard space at Five Counties’ Peterborough location at 872 Dutton Road.
In honour of Five Counties’ 50th anniversary, the organization is celebrating by offering tickets for $50 each (instead of the usual $125 per ticket cost) for this year’s summer social.
The “50-for-50” offer is meant as a show of appreciation to the community for its continuing generosity in supporting the children and families who turn to the centre for treatment, Five Counties noted in a media release.
“The Backyard Summer Social is our annual, adults-only celebration that salutes the start of summer, and this year’s version is perfectly timed falling on the first official day of summer,” said Lyn Giles, director of fund development with Five Counties, in the release.
“Come out to the Backyard Summer Social and let yourself be a kid again — at least for the afternoon — knowing your purchase will support life-changing treatment services at Five Counties that benefit children and their families.”
This year’s Backyard Summer Social will feature food from La Mesita and Hanoi House, sweet treats from Central Smith Creamery and the Kawartha Butter Tart Factory, musical performances by father-and-son duo Dan and Josh Fewings, caricatures by Peterborough illustrator Jason Wilkins, axe throwing with the Peterborough Axe Club, a live auction and door prizes, Critter Visits petting zoo, inflatable jousting, old-fashioned picnic games, and more.
The 2025 edition will also include a salute to Five Counties’ golden anniversary, which marks 50 years since the centre opened its doors in Peterborough.
For the third year in a row, seven local Canadian Tire stores — two in Peterborough and one each in Lindsay, Cobourg, Campbellford, Fenelon Falls and Minden — will serve as the event’s lead sponsor.
In each of its first three years, the Backyard Summer Social generated more than $40,000.
Money raised goes directly towards Five Counties’ “Building Abilities For Life Campaign,” which funds priority, high-demand services like speech therapy and occupational therapy in an effort to reduce long waiting times for kids to receive these critical services through the regional children’s centre.
Tickets are now available for purchase online at www.fivecounties.on.ca/mt-event/bss-2025/, by calling 1-888-779-9916 ext. 300, or by emailing development@fivecounties.on.ca.
Each ticket purchased includes food from a variety of vendors, one drink ticket, live music, access to all activities and games, and a chance to win prizes.
