2025 Community Campaign Launch

United Way Peterborough & District Launches 2025 Community Campaign with Dedicated Volunteer Cabinet

PETERBOROUGH, ON (July 31, 2025) – United Way Peterborough & District is thrilled to announce the members of its 2025 Community Campaign Cabinet. This committed team of local leaders, professionals and community champions will drive forward this year’s fundraising efforts, aiming to build a stronger, more connected community for all.

Led by 2025 Campaign Chair and local journalist Paul Rellinger, the Cabinet officially kicked off its efforts at the first meeting of the campaign season this week. The gathering set the tone for a year of meaningful engagement, collaboration, and impact.

“I wish there was a way that all Peterborough city and county residents could have been at the first Cabinet meeting to see, hear and feel the energy and spark I saw, heard and felt,” said Rellinger.

“A fierce commitment to building stronger and more equitable communities, where no one is left behind and all are provided the opportunity to thrive, was evident from the get-go. It reminded me that whatever we accomplish, be it with this campaign or with any like endeavour, success is inevitably rooted in the character, compassion and commitment of those driving things forward. We are indeed in the best of hands, fueling my unbridled optimism for a very good campaign result.”

The 2025 Campaign Cabinet includes new and returning representatives from across sectors: health care, business, banking, education, finance, law, media and local government. This cohort demonstrates the depth and diversity of community support behind the United Way’s mission.

2025 Campaign Cabinet Members:

  • Darcy Bonner, Community Ambassador
  • Michael Eamon, Trent University
  • Ann Farquharson, Farquharson Law
  • Coby Fewings, Scotiabank
  • Bruce Gibson, Community Ambassador
  • Marg Glenn, Glenn Isle Farms
  • Sheridan Graham, County of PTBO
  • Greg Kidd, KPRDSB
  • Richard Lambert, BMO
  • Evan Lyons, PRHC
  • Laken MacFarlane, City of PTBO
  • Vipesh Patel, Community Ambassador
  • Thomas Piggot, HKNP Health Unit
  • Amanda Pinder, RBC
  • Stephan Ragaz, Community Ambassador
  • Paul Rellinger, 2025 Campaign Chair
  • Balkaran Singh Sathi, Sathi Law
  • Jeannine Taylor, KawarthaNOW
  • Sebastien Tinor-Roy, TD Bank
  • Staff Sargeant John Townsend, PTBO Police
  • Shirley Turner, EXIT Realty Liftlock
  • Danielle Turpin, Community Ambassador

Over the coming months, Cabinet members will gift their voices, networks and expertise to build awareness of the campaign’s goals, inspire giving and foster deeper community involvement. From workplace campaigns and volunteer events to special initiatives like Backpacks for Success, the upcoming inaugural United Way Ultimate Burger Battle and Peterborough Performs VI, the Cabinet will play a vital role in uniting Peterborough in support of fundraising for essential community services.

“The people around the table are difference-makers,” said Jim Russell, CEO of United Way Peterborough & District. “They bring vision, compassion and energy to this campaign, and we’re incredibly grateful for their leadership.”

The Cabinet will gather again in September to continue planning for this year’s Campaign Launch, taking place at the Healthy Planet Arena on September 25, 2025.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Adeline Murphy, Campaign Officer

United Way Peterborough & District

C: 705-313-0651

W: 705-742-8839 ext. 25

amurphy@uwpeterborough.ca

Social Posts

👏 A huge thank you to @islinsurance for stepping up to support Backpacks for Success this year! 

Their workplace donation drive is officially underway, and it's a great reminder that making a difference is easy, and can start right at work.

Want to get your workplace, business, or organization involved? Hosting a Backpacks for Success supply drive is easy, fun, and has a direct impact on local students as they head back to school with the supplies they need to succeed.

💬 Comment "BACKPACK" below, and we'll send you everything you need to get started, including our workplace toolkit, wish list, and all the details.

Together, we can help ensure every student starts the school year ready to learn. 📚✨
Every great leader has a story... and today, we're excited to share the beginning of @_thetiffanyshow story as your 2026 United Way Campaign Chair.

As we launch our 85th Community Campaign, we're turning the page to a new chapter - one rooted in connection, collaboration, and the incredible power of community. Tiffany has spent years shining a spotlight on the people, organizations and stories that make Peterborough & District such a special place to call home. Now, she'll help lead a Campaign that celebrates what we can accomplish when we come together.

This grand reveal wouldn't have been possible without the creativity and generosity of Johanna Hawkshaw and the incredible team @yourtvptbo who helped bring our vision to life. Thank you for embracing the fun and helping us tell this story in such a memorable way.

If UW Campaign Chairs came with a Netflix special, we're pretty sure this would make the final cut 🎬🍿 ... 

A special thank you as well to our 2025 Campaign Chair, Paul Rellinger, and our amazing staff for being great sports and helping kick off this exciting new chapter.

Here's to 85 years of neighbours helping neighbours, and to everything we'll accomplish together this campaign.

Welcome to the team, Tiffany! We can't wait to see what we are able to accomplish together.

#UnitedWayPeterborough #CommunityCampaign #85YearsUnited
Now Accepting Applications!📣

United Way Peterborough & District is pleased to announce that we are once again accepting proposals for funding through Reaching Home. 

Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy is a community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness across Canada. This program provides funding to communities to help them address their local homelessness needs. 

📝To apply, please visit our website at uwpeterborough.ca
‼️All applications must be submitted by Tuesday, August 4, 2026. 

If you’re interested in applying but aren’t sure if you’re eligible, or if you have questions that aren’t answered in the online checklist, please reach out to us at ℹ️ reachinghome@uwpeterborough.ca.
Well prepared and ready to learn! 📚✏️
That’s what Backpacks for Success is all about! Your support helps ensure that students across Peterborough & County have the materials they need to take on the 2026 school year with confidence.

Whether you host a collection drive, become an event sponsor, or make a monetary donation, every contribution makes a difference to school aged students from grades K–12. 

📲 Contact us today to get involved!
Clue number TWO✌️!

Every great leader has a story. Can you find the words that help tell the story of our 2026 Campaign Chair?

Drop your guesses below👇…
👀 The first clue has arrived!

Every great leader brings something special to the table, and these six emojis represent just a few things that make our 2026 Campaign Chair who they are ✨

Can you guess who it might be🤔?
22% of Canadians live with a disability.

41% of people in poverty have a disability.

Those numbers aren’t just statistics; they’re a call to action.

This #DisabilityPrideMonth, United Way Peterborough & District stands with people with disabilities to break barriers and build communities where everyone belongs. 

We invest in accessible community programs and barrier-reduction initiatives as part of a strategic response to this gap. 
🤝❤️
Canada looks like the neighbour who checks in. The volunteer who shows up. The community that holds space for everyone.

This July 1, we recommit to a Canada where every person has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Our office is closed today, Wednesday July 1 and will reopen tomorrow, Thursday July 2.

Looking for support? Dial 211 to be connected to non-emergency community health and social services in our area.
Our grand finale retirement prank: a boardroom full of Jim’s!

Thanks for the laughs, Jim.
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