5TH annual ‘Paint the Town Red’ launches at Sam’s Place

Group shop with sign

PETERBOROUGH, ON – Today at Sam’s Place, Jim Russell CEO of United Way of Peterborough & District was joined by Campaign Chair Neil Morton, Campaign Cabinet members Terry Guiel (Downtown Business Improvement Area) Peterborough and Laura Crann (Ashburnham Realty)  and Sam’s Place owner Sam Sayer to announce the launch of the 5th annual Paint the Town Red event.

On Wednesday July 19th, participating restaurants will be donating 25% of their daily sales to support the work of United Way to build a better future for everyone. There is a 50% increase in participating restaurants bringing this year’s total to 32.

 

Says Morton, “The energy around this event and excitement about helping each other is what I love about this community. I encourage you to sit down with friends and family on July 19th, share a meal together and help to build an even stronger and deeper community connection.  While you’re at it, share your experience on social media using the hashtag #PaintPtboRed.”

 

Cabinet members Guiel and Crann expressed that supporting this event is a great start to their first year volunteering for the United Way Campaign. Laura added, “It’s been a blast to take pictures with the ‘spoon’ while talking to folks about the work of United Way.” Special thanks to Terry who spent his own time carving and painting this Paint the Town Red symbol.

 

Last year’s event raised over $10,000.00 bringing the total to over $45,000 since 2013. Sam’s Place has been part of the event every year and this year there will be a very special Paint the Town Red featured sandwich available. Sam Sayer stated, “Our community is very important to us at Sam’s Place and we’re proud to be supporting the community through United Way Peterborough.”

Russell ended proceedings by emphasizing the unparalleled energy and passion demonstrated by this year’s campaign chair. “Neil is absolute lightening in a bottle – you can feel it today and this augurs well for our 2017 Campaign.”

 

2017 Participating Restaurants

Amandala’s Charlotte Anne’s Kawartha Dairy (scooped cones) Reggie’s Hot Grill
Ashburnham Ale House Curry Village Kettle Drums Riley’s Pub
BE Catering Dodrio La Hacienda Sam’s Place
Black Honey EC Catering Marty Moo’s Silk Roots Fusion
Brickhouse Fresh Dreams Natas Café Silver Bean
Brio Gusto Gerti’s Pita Pit Soupcon
By the Bridge Hobarts The Planet St. Veronus
Caffeina Island Cream Rare Gill House Village of Thai

Join our FaceBook Event page to receive up-to-date information and share with your friends!

Click here for an interactive map of all participating restaurants thanks to Kawartha NOW!

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For more information, please contact;

Jim Russell, CEO

United Way Peterborough & District

T: 705-742-8839

E: jrussell@uwpeterborough.ca

Sam Sayer of Sam's Place, holds her "Paint the Town Red" sandwich which will be available all day July 19th for the event!

Sam Sayer of Sam’s Place, holds her “Paint the Town Red” sandwich which will be available all day July 19th for the event!

group Group shop with sign sandwich board spoon group spoon and sign sandwich on spoon

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From all of us at the Peterborough & District United Way, we are wishing everyone a safe and happy New Year! We're excited to continue our work with our amazing donors, partners, and volunteers in the years to come.

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Consider donating today, visit the link in our bio to learn more about our work and ways to give.
2025, what a year! 

We’re so grateful for the generosity, care, and community spirit that made these moments possible.

As the year comes to a close, this is also a friendly reminder that gifts made by December 31 are eligible for 2025 charitable tax receipting. Thank you for supporting your neighbours, today and all year long.

Learn more about the ways to give at the link in our bio.

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🚨Reaching Home Funding Applications Are Now Open!🚨

United Way Peterborough & District is happy to share that we are accepting applications from agencies for the Reaching Home program, on behalf of the Government of Canada.

👉 What is Reaching Home? It 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.

Applications close January 22nd, 2026. Find eligibility requirements and full application details on our website:
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To our neighbours,

As we head into the holiday season, we want to take a moment to say thank you. Your generosity, kindness, and commitment to community have meant so much to us throughout the year.

Whether you gave your time, made a donation, attended an event, or simply showed up for local causes, you helped make Peterborough & District a stronger, more caring place.

As of 12:00 pm today (Dec. 24), our office will be closed for the holidays and will reopen on January 5. During this time, we hope you’re able to slow down, rest, and enjoy meaningful moments with the people who matter most.

From all of us at United Way Peterborough & District, we wish you and your loved ones a warm, peaceful holiday season and a new year filled with hope, connection, and possibility.
After more than a decade of dedicated leadership, we are sharing the news that our CEO, Jim Russell, will retire in July 2026.

Since joining United Way Peterborough & District in 2011, Jim has been a steady and passionate force for community change, leading more than $36 million in revenue generation and championing critical work to address poverty, homelessness, and income inequality across our region.

Under Jim’s leadership, United Way Peterborough and District has strengthened its role as a trusted community partner through impactful research, including Housing is Fundamental, multiple Point-in-Time Counts, and The Gap reports on income adequacy and living wages.

Jim’s commitment to Peterborough & District, and to building a more equitable, resilient community, has left a lasting mark. We are deeply grateful for his leadership and look forward to celebrating his legacy over the coming months. 

Please join us in congratulating Jim on his incredible contributions to our community!
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As the holidays approach, we wanted to share a quick update on our office hours.

Our office will be closing early on Wednesday and Thursday of this week as we celebrate the season with our staff, board and committees. We will then be closed beginning at noon on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) through January 5, returning to regular office hours in the new year.

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Wishing you a safe, restful, and joyful holiday season. 🎄✨
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Please visit the City of Peterborough website for information on food banks and free meals. 

peterborough.ca/foodcalendar
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