Over the past year, the New Canadians Centre opened its arms to more than 2,000 people from more than 100 countries who immigrated to the Peterborough and Northumberland areas — the highest number in its 45-year history.

What started in 1979 as a modest group of community members sponsoring Vietnamese refugees has clearly grown substantially over the decades.

To mark its 45th anniversary this year, the non-profit organization has launched the #45for45 donation campaign — with the goal of raising $45,000 in donations towards programs and services that welcome and support newcomers to Canada.

The #45for45 donation campaign runs during the month of June.

“An anonymous donor has stepped up to match each dollar raised up to a total of $45,000,” the New Canadians Centre noted in a media release. “This means that every dollar raised will have double the impact.”

The New Canadians Centre offers services to immigrants and refugees and multicultural programming open to the community. The newest of these services is its life skills program, which aims to empower recent newcomers who need extra support.

Dr. Armand La Barge and his wife Denise are monthly donors and long-time supporters of the New Canadians Centre.

“We have witnessed firsthand the incredible work its dedicated team of staff and volunteers do to help immigrants, refugees and other newcomers feel included, valued and empowered,” La Barge said. “As proud Canadians, we can’t think of anything more Canadian than helping newcomers to our city feel welcome and at home.”

The 2,000 newcomers that the New Canadians Centre welcomed in 2022-23 arrived from 104 source countries and spoke 76 languages.

“This was the highest number of clients in our 45-year history — and a 50 per cent increase over the previous year,” the release noted. “Newcomers were represented across a broad stream of immigration pathways, underlying the complexity of their settlement journeys.”

Donations to the #45for45 can be made online at bit.ly/45for45NCC, by cheque made out to “New Canadians Centre,” or by e-transfer to give@nccpeterborough.ca.

The New Canadians Centre anticipates announcing in early July a tally of the money raised through the campaign.

With its mission to empower people who are new to Canada, so they can be recognized as equal and valued members of Canadian society, the New Canadians Centre provides leadership to cultivate their meaningful economic, social, and cultural inclusion in local communities.

Its goals are to invest in core programs and services that connect newcomers to services, each other, and the community, to create an environment where people who are new to Canada are valued by raising awareness of their positive contributions, and to break down barriers to their equitable access and participation.

“At the New Canadians Centre, we commit to making the pursuit of equity and inclusion our way of life,” its website states.

The organization strives to empower newcomers and refugees by convening a newcomer and refugee-led advisory group to advise on programs and services, engaging newcomers and refugees in training to respond to racism and discrimination, and helping newcomers and refugees navigate opportunities to be leaders in the community.

In early June, the New Canadians Centre will be launching its annual Multicultural Food Crawl — the first in a series of events through the month of June to celebrate the Canadian Multicultural Festival.

For more information about the New Canadians Centre, visit nccpeterborough.ca.

June 1 marks the beginning of Pride Month, a month dedicated to 2SLGBTQI+ community members and allies coming together in recognition of the resilience and in celebration of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.

Though not uncommon to be celebrated at other times of the year, Pride Month is typically held in June in memory of the 1969 Stonewall Riots in Manhattan, New York. When public solicitation of same-sex relationships were illegal in the 1960s, LGBT individuals flocked to gay bars and clubs, including the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village.

In the early hours of June 28, 1969, the police raided the bar, violently handling and arresting people and employees suspected of cross-dressing. Angry patrons and neighbourhood residents watched in agitation before a full-blown riot began and the mob attempted to set fire to the building. The riot led to thousands of people joining a days-long uprising which would fuel the gay civil rights movement in the U.S. and around the world.

On the one-year anniversary, thousands of people marched from the Stonewall Inn to Central Park for the first Pride March. Today, Pride months, weeks, and days are a celebration of pride, but also an honour to members of the 2SLGBTQI+ communities and those who faced and continue to face ongoing rights violations, discrimination, and violence.

Here are some events happening across the Kawarthas this Pride Month.

Haliburton County

VIDEO: “500 Days in the Wild” trailer

On Friday, June 7, Haliburton Highlands Secondary School is inviting the public to cheer on students as they run the track in support of 2SLGBTQ+ communities for the annual Colour Run. Ending a week of inclusive and celebratory pride events, the run will be held from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. and will include an explosion of Pride powder.

Then, on June 13, the not-for-profit volunteer organization Those Other Movies presents “Queer Film Night” at the Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavillion for a screening of 500 Days in the Wild, the award-winning documentary by queer filmmaker Dianne Whelan, at 4:15 and 7:15 p.m. The film documents six years of Whelan travelling across Canada, weaving in intimate moments of reflection and stories of people in the communities she met along the way.

For more information about these and other Pride events in Haliburton County, visit www.mindenpride.ca.

Peterborough

While Peterborough Pride is annually celebrated in the fall (running September 20 to 29 this year), City of Peterborough Mayor Jeff Leal has officially proclaimed Pride Month in Peterborough during the month of June and there are a couple of events kicking off Pride Month on Saturday (June 1).

The El (P) restaurant is hosting a drag brunch featuring Betty Baker, Van Goth, and Magnolia Knox, with tunes spun by Sahira Q. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. with the show at 11 a.m. Advance tickets are $20 and are available at eventbrite.com/e/882954630067.

Later at 6 p.m., Delta Bingo and Gaming (1019 Clonsilla Ave, Peterborough) is hosting “Drag Bingo: Show Your Pride” with entertaining performances by Madge Enthat and Divalicious, with cash prizes available to be won. Tickets are $40 general admission, with a VIP experience for eight guests costing $1,000. Tickets are available at eventbrite.ca/e/896458891677.

Northumberland County

Northumberland Pride is bringing no shortage of colour to the county with a lineup of events running throughout June.

Pride Month events include the Cobourg Pride festival and parade (June 1), PRIDE at the Capitol Theatre in Port Hope — where the country’s top drag will come to the mainstage led by Juice Boxx from Canada’s Drag Race (June 6), a “Back to the 80’s Pride Prom” (June 7), and the Cirque De Slay, a circus-themed youth pride event (June 8).

On Friday, June 28 at 6 p.m., All Creatures Great and Small Cobourg is holding a dog-friendly (and dog-encouraged!) Pride walk, inviting the community to join together to raise awareness and spread love.

Further north, Trent Hills Pride is also hosting a week-long celebration including: an official rising of the flag at several locations across the region (May 31), storytime with Peterborough drag performer Betty Baker at the Warkworth Library (June 1), a Party in the Park at Mill Creek Park (June 1), a viewing of the cult-classic Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Aron Theatre in Campbellford (June 6), drag takeovers at local restaurants McGillicafey’s and Dockside Bistro (June 7), the Trent Hills Pride Festival (June 8), and Drag Queen Bingo at the Warkworth Legion (June 21).

Hastings County

Tweed & Company Theatre is celebrating Pride with a fun-filled night headlined by Juno award-winning singer and rapper Stacy Kay on the Bancroft Village Playhouse stage at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 21st.

Stacey Kay got the Golden Buzzer on Canada’s Got Talent and became a songwriter, producer, and singer with Canada’s Drag Race. A comedic podcast host and motivational speaker who spreads messages about body positivity, Stacey Kay will be performing alongside drag performers.

Tickets are $30 and aree available at villageplayhouse.ca/bancroft-pride-stacey-kay-and-friends.

City of Kawartha Lakes

Pride Month is only the start of the Pride celebrations that are happening throughout the season, with Kawartha Lakes celebrating Pride Week in July.

Kawartha Lakes Pride is well on their way to setting the schedule for their annual event running from July 8 to 14. Already announced events include Pride in the Park (July 12) at Maryboro Lodge Museum in Fenelon Falls, a family-friendly event featuring drag queen storytime, live DJs, a drag show and more, and the Proud Sounds concert and community picnic (July 13) at the Victoria Park Gazebo in Lindsay, bringing to the stage local 2SLGBTQ+ musical artists and allies.

More events will be announced soon. For updates, follow Kawartha Lakes Pride on Facebook at facebook.com/KawarthaLakesPride/.

Residents in Peterborough and the Kawarthas can help build more local affordable housing options by participating in a new investment program offered by Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region (Habitat PKR).

Habitat PKR says it’s “at a pivotal moment” in its mission to transform the local landscape of affordable housing and is calling on the community to support the endeavour. The organization is launching a “High-Impact Investment Program” that gives community members the chance to contribute by providing sizeable loans to Habitat PKR at agreed interest rates.

In return, lenders receive annual payments for the accrued interest, with the flexibility to request their money back at any time. At the end of the loan period, Habitat PKR will repay the loan in full, with the opportunity to provide the accrued interest in the form of a charitable tax receipt, providing additional benefits to lenders, Habitat PKR noted in a media release.

“We are looking for community-minded individuals who have capacity to give a sizeable loan, whatever that is to the individual,” Jenn MacDonald, Habitat PKR’s communication and donor services manager, told kawarthaNOW.

She said investments ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 “would have a significant impact, but we are open to working with investors on a lower scale as well.”

“We have just launched the program and are in communication with a few interested parties,” MacDonald noted.

The investment program would allow Habitat PKR to build on the success of its two-phase Leahy’s Lane development in Peterborough — the first multi-unit development of the organization that has traditionally built single-family homes. The first phase, a 41-unit affordable condo development at 33 Leahy’s Lane, was completed in April 2022, and the second phase, a 12-unit affordable condo development at 21 Leahy’s Lane, is approaching completion.

“Habitat PKR is positioned to embark on additional projects that will provide much-needed affordable homes to families and individuals across the Peterborough, Kawartha, and Haliburton regions,” Habitat PKR noted. “To realize this vision, however, the organization is reaching out to the community for support through its new High-Impact Investment Program.”

As a non-profit organization, the approach enables Habitat PKR to fund the construction of affordable housing projects without relying on high-interest loans from financial institutions, thereby maximizing the impact of every dollar invested. By lowering costs, it can also increase the organization’s ability to serve families on the lower end of the financial spectrum.

“This unique program not only fosters community support but also offers a tangible charitable benefit, furthering Habitat PKR’s mission to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing for all.”

“With the support of our community, we can use invested capital to purchase available land and construct more affordable homes across our region, ultimately helping more families and individuals achieve stability through affordable homeownership,” said Susan Zambonin, CEO of Habitat PKR, in the release.

Habitat PKR said the program contributes to the creation of thriving communities and also offers a unique charitable opportunity to the investor.

“It’s a win-win scenario — investors make a meaningful impact in the local community that will support generations to come, while also benefiting through a financial tax incentive.”

For more information on how to participate in the High-Impact Investment Program, visit www.habitatpkr.ca/donations/hiip.

Twenty local women who are driving positive change received their due Thursday night (May 30), each feted at the inaugural Women of Impact Awards ceremony and celebration.

Hosted by the United Way of Peterborough & District in conjunction with Women United Peterborough and held at Farmhill Weddings east of Peterborough, the sold-out event saw award recipients hailed for their roles in building strong, healthy, and safe communities within their respective spheres of influence.

A total of 37 women were nominated, from which the following were chosen by a Women United committee which reviewed each nomination:

• Cassandra Babcock
• Dr. Debbie Boyce
• Cheyenne Buck
• Patti Clancy
• Wendy Couper
• Susan Dunkley
• Hillary Flood
• Jennifer Garland
• Dr. Jennifer Ingram
• Carlotta James
• Kristal Jones
• Ann MacLeod
• Laura Montague
• Rosemary Powers
• Denise Sayles-Morton
• Peggy Shaughnessy
• Lisa Trefzger
• Lois Tuffin
• Carmela Valles
• Jill Wickins

To say each award recipient was thrilled would be an understatement.

“It’s an incredibly humbling honour,” beamed Kristal Jones, a recent graduate of Fleming College’s social service worker graduate whose vision and advocacy has furthered the work of the One Roof Community Centre (now the Trinity Community Centre) and the Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough.

“My imposter syndrome is in overdrive listening to all these incredible accomplishments. I can’t believe I’m counted among this group of people. To receive the award from (former Peterborough-Kawartha MP) Maryam Monsef was just a beautiful full circle moment for me. I’ll cry if I talk about it too much.”

“I feel very fortunate that I’ve been given a small platform and a voice. In the population that I support, there are a lot of people who aren’t able to use their voice, or their voice is taken seriously, or they’re no longer with us to be able to use their voice. When somebody asks what I have to say, I want to make sure that I’m echoing the voices of the women that put me here and the women that can’t be here.”

Equally overwhelmed was Susan Dunkley, the founder and owner of Suzi Home Maker, a Peterborough-based senior move management company whose journey has inspired countless others to pursue their passions regardless of their stage in life.

“There are so many women in our community who have made such a difference, so to be one of the inaugural (award recipients) is phenomenal. I’m deeply honoured. I look forward to seeing the women that come forward over the years in the future. It’s pretty amazing.”

“I love the diversity of the (awarded) women. I love the diversity of age. I love the diversity of what people have done. I love the different things that we have stood for and represented. As an eclectic group, we are a whole. It’s not all just business people. It’s not just all volunteers. It’s not all people in the arts. It’s everybody and I love that.”

Dunkley was especially thrilled with the number of men in attendance to show their support.

“I feel there’s a really important role (for men) as an ally who recognize the power that women bring,” she said. “I hate that we have to recognize women and men separately, but I do love that we’re at a point where can be saying ‘These women have made a difference.’ I truly believe that if women were running the world, there wouldn’t be war.”

While she doesn’t view herself as a role model for younger women, Dunkley does admit to feeling like “the wise woman of the clan. That’s really cool.”

Meanwhile, Patti Clancy, the owner of Kawartha Home Care Services who has long championed women fleeing domestic violence and adversity, referenced those women who go about their work quietly with no expectation of recognition for their advocacy.

“I was raised to believe that when you do an act of kindness, you do it without anybody seeing you,” she said, adding “I think I got found out today.”

“I’m a feminist. I’ve been a longtime member of the YWCA, more than 30 years now. That’s a great support for any woman who believes in equality, and that women are as intelligent and strong as men, and sometimes even more spiritual.”

Among those formally addressing the gathering was Monsef, the inaugural chair of Women United, a network of women philanthropists and allies who each donate $1,200 or more each year to the United Way of Peterborough & District.

Formed in 2022, Women United’s goals are as follows:

• Reduce and remove economic and social barriers so the next generation of girls and women can lead to their full potential.
• Learn more about the challenges facing women and gender diverse people in their community and the resources available to those in need.
• Improve the lives of those in vulnerable situations through gifts of time, talent and treasure.

“There are so many women in our community, at the United Way, all around us, making big things happen, without the expectation of celebration,” said Monsef during a break in the presentation. “They work quietly behind the scenes, holding it all together. Tonight is one small opportunity for the rest of us to honour them and remind them that we see them.”

“They are role models for all of us. To be in this room tonight is a wonderful opportunity for those who haven’t been recognized. You’re networking with some of the most effective movers and shakers in our community. A conversation with any one of them opens so many doors and channels for young professionals who are seeking to create their own path and achieve their dreams.”

Prior to the awards’ presentation, emceed by former local radio personality and current Team vanRahan Century 21 realtor Catherine Hanrahan, the audience heard from Kellie Walden, the director of administrative services with the Peterborough Family and Child Centre, and Brittany McMillan, executive director of the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre.

Both spoke to the work their respective agencies are doing daily to support women with help from both United Way core funding and the United Women fund.

Adding to the event’s festive atmosphere was live music performed by electric violinist Victoria Yeh and, during the break, the Peterborough Pop Ensemble.

Presented by TD with kawarthNOW serving as media sponsor, additional support was provided by Fox Law, Electric City Real Estate, Trent University, the Trent University Faculty Association, 2032 Dentistry For Life, and Yeh.

More information about Women United can be found at www.uwpeterborough.ca/women-united or by calling United Way philanthropy director Anne Ondercin, 705-742-8839, ext. 30.

kawarthaNOW is proud to be the media sponsor of the inaugural Women of Impact Awards.

Peterborough city council will be meeting as general committee on Monday (June 3).

Following a closed session at 5 p.m., council will meet in chambers at 6 p.m. for an open session.

Below is a summary of what’s on the agenda for Monday’s meeting.

Report of closed session

General committee will vote on a motion coming out of the closed session related to an appointment. Subject to approval by general committee, the recommendation will then go forward to a special city council meeting, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. following general committee. Although the nature of the motion is not yet known, registered delegations will be permitted at the special city council meeting.

Zoning by-law amendment

City staff will present a report recommending that section 6.1 of the city’s zoning by-law, which currently exempts the city and the Peterborough Utilities Commission from complying with the by-law, be amended to also specify municipal services corporations, local housing corporations, and the police services board as being exempt from the by-law.

“Having a clear public use exemption regulation in the Zoning By-law can be leveraged as municipal-led public housing continues to be a priority of all levels of government by reducing the timelines associated with land use approval,” the report states.

Section 6.1 was recently used to help the city secure construction of the affordable housing project at 681 Monaghan Road, according to the report. Because the property was owned by the city, the exemption to the zoning by-law applied and the city was able to leverage multiple levels of government funding as a “ready to build site.”

“Moving forward, it is expected that an amended Section 6.1 will provide key support to projects being advanced by the Peterborough Housing Municipal Services Corporation (PHMSC) on behalf of Peterborough Housing Corporation,” the report states.

The report does not indicate why the police services board is being included in the proposed amendment.

Presentation on Fairhaven long-term care home expansion

General committee will hear a presentation from Karl Moher and Nancy Rooney, the board chair and executive director of Fairhaven, on the plan to expand the municipal long-term care home.

In June, Fairhaven plans to submit an application to the Ontario government to increase by 128 the number of beds at its location at 881 Dutton Road in Peterborough, from 256 to 384 beds.

According to the presentation included with the agenda item, the timeframe for the expansion, from design to occupancy, would run from 2024 to 2028. The estimated capital cost of the project would be between $83 million and $92 million

Fairhaven will recommend city council support the application to the province for additional beds and, if the province approves the application, to direct the city’s chief administrative officer and chief financial officer to work with Fairhaven on the capital and operating costs of the project and bring a report back to council.

Presentation on the Peterborough Community Health Centre

General committee will hear a presentation by Christine Brander and David Jeffrey, interim co-executive directors of the Peterborough Community Health Centre.

In February, the Ontario government announced the newly established centre would receive more than $3 million in provincial funding. In April, Brander and Jeffrey were hired as co-executive directors, with the next step to secure an interim location.

While the agenda contains no details about the presentation, Brander and board chair Johnathan Bennett appeared before Peterborough County council on May 15, where they provided an update and revealed that the centre had secured a 12-month lease for a location in Peterborough Square mall.

“We want to see patients as fast as we can — we want to hire physicians, allied health, and everything we need to stand up this organization from scratch,,” Bennett said at the May 15th meeting, adding that the Peterborough Square location was “the most likely candidate to convert quickly into some appropriate clinic space and see patients quickly.”

Presentation on city’s draft 2024-2028 accessibility plan

General committee will receive a report and hear a presentation from city staff on the draft 2024-2028 accessibility plan and will be asked to approve the plan.

“The proposed Accessibility Plan priorities would be approved in principle by City Council, to set a five-year road map to address the main barriers for people with disabilities,” the report states. “The priorities are designed to help people with disabilities access basic needs such as food, housing, health care, education, employment and the outdoors.”

According to the report, the five priority areas of the plan are sidewalk infrastructure, transit system and stops, streets and intersection, park access and features, and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Budget increase and winning bid for renovations to City Hall for “Service Peterborough” project

City staff will present a report recommending that the capital budget for renovations to City Hall to accommodate the “Service Peterborough” project be increased by $275,000 from $625,000 to $900,000, and that the renovations contract be awarded to Etobicoke-based B.E. Construction Ltd., the lowest bidder.

Service Peterborough is an integrated, centralized customer service approach for in-person and by-phone interactions at City Hall, which city council approved in June 2023 with a capital budget of $625,000.

The city’s consulting firm of record estimated the initial construction cost of the project to be $553,000. However, seven tenders received by the city for the project had bids ranging from $661,715 (from B.E. Construction Ltd.) to almost $1.8 million, with five of the bids over $800,000.

“Several factors need to be considered for the increased cost,” the report states. “The scope of the project changed during the project development based on stakeholder input to include: the renovation of the existing reception space into a meeting room for customer service interactions, requiring removal of the vault walls; additional areas were added to the scope to provide a more comprehensive space and workflow to the existing tax office area; the phasing into four distinct periods for the construction delivery to allow for delivery of services to customers to continue with minimal disruption during the overall construction period.”

The increase of the capital budget from $625,000 to $900,000 would accommodate the winning bid of $661,715, with an additional $106,935 for contingency, furniture, and miscellaneous costs, $106,674 for consulting and project management fees, and $13,030 in building permit fees.

Other reports

Other reports to come before council include:

• A report advising council that a public meeting will be held on June 10 to present a development charges background study undertaken by the Peterborough Utilities Commission and to hear public delegations. The 44-page study recommends updating development charges “to accurately reflect the water servicing needs of new development in the City of Peterborough.”
• A report to recommend that the Development Charge Reserve Funds – 2023 Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2023 for the City of Peterborough and Peterborough Utilities Commission be received.
• A report to establish a funding agreement with the Canadian Canoe Museum on Ashburnham Drive and to pass a by-law designating the facility as a municipal capital facility, which would except the property from taxation for municipal or school purposes.
• A report to approve the enrolment and implementation of the city into the Ministry of Transportation’s DriveON Vehicle Inspection Centre program, which combines the current Motor Vehicle Inspection Station program and the Heavy Diesel Emissions program into a single digital program. The city currently operates a Motor Vehicle Inspection Station under license with the Ministry of Transportation, and must enrol in the new program by May 31 to continue conducting mandatory motor vehicle safety inspections.
• A report to update and approve the City of Peterborough’s Asset Management Plan, which is described as “an ongoing process of making the best possible decisions regarding the construction, operation, maintenance, renewal, replacement, and disposal of assets.”

Items endorsed by general committee on June 3 will be considered by council for final approval the following Monday, when public delegations will be heard.

Council meetings are streamed live at www.peterborough.ca.

The Peterborough Humane Society is planning to expand its Safe Nights for Pets (SNooPy) Program in support of pets in need of temporary emergency boarding due to non-preventable situations — and you can help the organization win funds to support the expansion by voting in an online contest.

For more than 20 years, the program has supported individuals fleeing domestic violence with a free and anonymous place to keep their pets safe for up to 30 days as needed while they focus on regaining their freedom and stabilizing their future.

“We know from research that one of the things that prevents individuals in those awful situations from finding a better solution is the consideration of pets,” says Si Grobler, the organization’s manager of donor relations. “The Peterborough Humane Society decided to make that one decision a little bit easier for them and be a resource to support these individuals.”

Since the program first launched, the boarding time has increased from 21 to 30 days in response to the need in the community. Having accommodated 34 pets through the program just last year alone, the Peterborough Humane Society ensures temporary boarded animals are fed, cared for, played with, and offered companionship — all free of charge.

“We take care of that just to give them the opportunity to move on and find a better situation,” Grobler says. “If we can be a support where an individual can deal with this awful situation and then come back and get reunited with their pet, that’s a win-win — and not only for the pet, but obviously the owner — and a win-win for our community, as it’s not an extra pet that might otherwise be wandering outside.”

In recent years, however, Grobler says the charity has seen an increase in demand for temporary boarding for pets belonging to individuals facing other unplanned emergencies.

“SNooPy was always focused on supporting people fleeing domestic violence, and now we’re interested in expanding it to hospitalizations, floods, fires — any of those situations where an owner just needs temporary housing and boarding for their pet until they’re back on their feet,” says Grobler. “We want to provide more support to our community when they need emergency boarding because the need is there.”

Earlier this month, the Peterborough Humane Society submitted a video explaining the planned program expansion to the McDougall Community Contest, an annual online competition organized by McDougall Insurance, the largest insurance brokerage in eastern Ontario. The contest is open to non-profit organizations and community groups across Ontario who are seeking funding for a project that benefits the community.

The contest will award three prizes worth a total of $10,000 based on the three submitted videos that get the most votes on the contest platform by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 31st. First place receives $5,000, second place receives $3,000, and third place receives $2,000.

Grobler explains that, were the Peterborough Humane Society to win any of the prizes, the funds would be going towards “loving care and medical attention” for the pets being sheltered through the SNooPy program.

“When a pet comes in, obviously we provide food and water and our staff and volunteers will socialize and play with the pet to make sure its well-being is being looked after, but we also provide medical care,” he says. “One of things we want to do with SNooPy is provide a free spay and neuter for individuals that need the service so the owners don’t have to worry about that after the fact.”

While of course it depends on the health and situation of the animal, Grobler guesses that with the $5,000 top prize, the Peterborough Humane Society would be able to board and support about 50 more pets through the SNooPy program.

“We think it would be really wonderful if, for an individual in a really bad situation, we can look after their pet, give them good care and attention, and spay and neuter so the pet goes back to them stronger,” Grobler says. “That’s one less thing that they need to worry about after the fact. This is something we can do, and this is how we’ve decided to help our community.”

Regardless of whether or not the Peterborough Humane Society wins a prize from the McDougall Community Contest, Grobler assures the expansion will happen one way or another.

“We will find funds and we will do what we can to make sure that we help more families in awful situations,” Grobler says. “Our community needs it.”

To vote for the SNooPy expansion video, visit platform.votigo.com/fbcontests/showentry/McDougallCommunityContest2024/3749343.

Those in need of anonymous support through SNooPy can contact the Peterborough Humane Society 705-745-4722 ext. 200.