Residents and cottagers in North Kawartha Township can enjoy a night of gaming while helping raise funds for Apsley-area seniors and other residents who receive support from Community Care Peterborough (CCP).
CCP’s Apsley office is hosting its fourth annual gaming on Saturday (June 7) at the North Kawartha Community Centre at 340 McFadden Road in Apsley. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the games begin at 7 p.m.
According to a media release, the “community favourite” fundraiser encompasses friendly competition and plenty of community spirit, featuring classic games including Blackjack, Crown and Anchor, and Money Wheel, along with prizes, a 50/50 draw, appetizers catered by The Grape and Wedge, and a cash bar bar operated by the Apsley Lions Club.
“Gaming night is a tremendous opportunity for us to bring the Apsley community together, strengthen connections, and raise awareness about the support CCP makes available to our local residents,” Katie Bryck, CCP’s community development co-ordinator in Apsley, shared with kawarthaNOW. “It’s a fun night with real impact, and a great way to celebrate community spirit.”
Chris LeBlanc, CCP’s director of donor and public relations, noted last year’s event, “with the help of a generous anonymous matching donor,” raised $14,132 in support of local programs.
“This year, we’re hoping to surpass that total and reach $15,000,” LeBlanc said.
“While fundraising is certainly a big part of the evening, the event is also about more than dollars raised. It’s a chance to bring our community together — to reconnect local and seasonal residents, and to build awareness about the programs and services we offer in the Apsley area.”
Tickets are $20 per person for admission and an appetizer and are available at CCP’s Apsley office at 126 Burleigh Street (inside the thrift store) and at Kemp’s Garage at 111 Burleigh Street. There are a limited number of tickets available and CCP encourages people to purchase them early to help organizers prepare food quantities.
At the event, attendees can purchase play money ($100 for $20) for use at the tables and wheel games and, when they are finished playing, can exchange their winnings or unused play money for tickets to enter into prize draws of their choice. No real money is paid out from playing the games or by exchanging play money. All prize draws will be held towards the end of the evening.
Proceeds from the event support the subsidy program at CCP’s Apsley location. The program helps provide residents with accessible transportation through the “Caremobile,” supports volunteer rides to medical appointments, and also facilitates regular food bank deliveries.
“While this year’s event is still building buzz, past gaming nights have welcomed 100 to 125 guests, raising vital funds and awareness for local services,” noted the release.
“We’re proud to host a night that’s both a great time and a great cause,” Bryck told kawarthaNOW. “It connects year-round and seasonal residents, while shining a light on the programs that keep people in our community supported and independent.”
This year, North Kawartha Township mayor Carolyn Amyotte and council members will once again serve as volunteer dealers, and attendees are invited to test their luck and “beat the mayor” at the Blackjack table.
The event has drawn steady support from the community, including local volunteers and long-time champions Debbie and Clark Breuls, who helped launch gaming night in 2022, CCP noted.
Clark Breuls, of RE/MAX, was the sole table sponsor in the inaugural year and continues to support the event alongside Rockers Landscaping and Ball Real Estate in 2025.
An anonymous donor has pledged to match all funds raised at the event, a tradition which began in 2023.
For more information and sponsorship opportunities, call Bryck at 705-656-4589 or email kbryck@commcareptbo.org.
