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

❤️Won’t you be our neighbour? 

Stay tuned, @_thetiffanyshow will be sharing the full story (and her inspiring Campaign Chair speech) soon. You won’t want to miss this!

#CertifiedNeighbour #UnitedWayPTBO
Don't miss out 👉 United Way Peterborough is now accepting applications for the Reaching Home program!

ℹ️ What is Reaching Home?
Reaching Home is a community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness across Canada by providing funding to communities to address local housing and homelessness needs.

Important details:
⭐ Applications will be reviewed based on alignment to community priorities, including:
• Creating, preserving, and enabling equitable access to housing
• Eviction prevention
• Outreach

⭐ The funding period is October 1, 2026, to March 31, 2028

📅 Applications close August 4, 2026.

Apply today at uwpeterborough.ca
Meaningful conversations are the first step toward meaningful change. This morning, our CEO, Jason Seguya, had the opportunity to meet with MP Harrison (@emmaaharrisonmp) to discuss some of the most pressing challenges facing our communities.

Part of the conversation focused on the recently published Financial Anxiety Index, a national research project undertaken by United Way Centraide Canada and conducted by Léger. The findings are clear: nearly half of Canadians say they could cover their basic expenses for only one month or less if their income were interrupted, and many report that their financial situation has worsened in recent months. The research also highlights that single parents, newcomers, and young people are among those experiencing the greatest financial strain.

Jason also had the opportunity to elaborate on United Way Peterborough & District’s role as the Community Entity for the Government of Canada’s Reaching Home program. For more than a decade, we have worked with local partners to administer federal homelessness funding, convene organizations across the sector, and support innovative, collaborative responses that help prevent and reduce homelessness in our community. Since 2020, more than $8 million in Reaching Home funding has been distributed locally to strengthen supports and services for those experiencing homelessness.

We appreciate the opportunity to share these insights and discuss the importance of coordinated community responses to poverty, housing insecurity, and homelessness. We look forward to continuing the conversation with MP Harrison in the months ahead as we work together to build a stronger, more connected community.
Breaking News: Jimothy has officially RSVP'd to our Fill the Fords event on August 8! 🎉

Want to join #Jimothy? Stop by Auto Connect between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to donate new school supplies in support of our Backpacks for Success initiative. Together, we'll help fill the Fords and backpacks so that students of all ages can start the school year with the tools they need to succeed . 🎒📚💙
United Way Peterborough & District invites community members to our 84th Annual General Meeting on Thursday, August 6, at the McDonnel St. Community Centre.

The evening will begin with a Community Conversation and Welcome Gathering from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., where you’ll have the opportunity to meet our CEO, Jason Seguya, hear about his vision for the future, and join the conversation about strengthening our community together. A reception with light appetizers will follow.

At 5:30 p.m., we’ll officially convene our Annual General Meeting to reflect on the past year, celebrate the impact we’ve made together, and conduct the business of the organization.

Space is limited! Please RSVP using the link in our bio.
🎒🚗 Introducing Fill the Fords! 🚗🎒

We’re teaming up with @autoconnectsales for a brand-new community event in support of our Backpacks for Success program, and you’re invited!

Join us on Saturday, August 8 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. to help us fill the Fords with new backpacks, school supplies, and financial donations for local students preparing to head back to school.

❤️Last year, nearly 500 local students received fully stocked backpacks through Backpacks for Success. With your help, we can make an even bigger impact this year.

Make a day of it!
🍔 Community BBQ featuring offerings from @kingstmarket
🍦 FREE @central_smith ice cream for the first 100 eligible donations (you heard that right)
🐻 Meet some special mascot guests

Whether you donate a backpack, a pack of pencils, lined paper or make a financial contribution, every gift helps a local student start the school year prepared, confident, and ready to learn.

📍 Auto Connect Sales 1175 Lansdowne St. West
📅 Saturday, August 8
⏰ 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Save this post, tag a friend, and help us #FillTheFords for local students! 🛻✨🎒
👏 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🤔?
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