Faith Dickinson, “Cuddles for Cancer” is 2017 Scholfield Award Recipient!

2017 Scholfield Award Recipient, Faith Dickinson of Cuddles for Cancer with Jim Russell, United Way CEO, Erica Richmond United Way Development Officer, David Fell United Way Board Chair

2017 Scholfield Award Recipient, Faith Dickinson of Cuddles for Cancer with Jim Russell, United Way CEO, Erica Richmond United Way Development Officer, David Fell United Way Board Chair

United Way of Peterborough and District today announced the 2017 recipient of the Scholfield Award of Community Distinction. The annual award was established to recognize an individual or organization for their outstanding contribution and ability to mobilize change within the community.

The 2017 recipient was 15 year old Faith Dickinson, creator of “Cuddles for Cancer.” In the 4 years since its inception Faith has hand made over 3000 cuddle blankets to help stave off the cold that children who are going through treatment experience. Because, in her own words, “everyone deserves a cuddle!”

Faith has also developed a signature Soldier blanket for men and women serving overseas or returning from service with PTSD. Her blankets are a global phenomenon having comforted Soldiers in Kuwait, Afghanistan, Poland, Iraq, and Ukraine. A reminder to those brave men and women of the respect and love that exists for them back home.

As if these weren’t enough, she partners with other local and international organizations, such as PRHC, Free the Children, the Yellow Ribbon Campaign, Local Legions, Kawartha Foodshare, to give a message of hope and inspiration stating, “You are never too young to make a difference.”

United Way Board Chair David Fell presented Faith the award on behalf of the organization, noting, that it is the first time the award had been presented to someone so young, “Faith is an example to all of us, regardless of age “She reminds us that we all have tremendous capacity to lead and make our communities better.”

In attendance was Faith’s mother Carrie Dickinson, who was beaming with pride at the acknowledgement her daughter was receiving. When asked her thoughts, she humbly said, “As her Mom I feel I am biased.”

Concluding the event, CEO Jim Russell mused, “Faith is the tonic this world needs, a salve to worries, and a harbinger of hope. She lifts spirits, and is a reminder that our deep humanity requires care of the other.”

Past award recipients have been Bill Strode, John Martyn, People First, Survivors Abreast, Marie Bongard, and Roy Brady and most recently Stephen Kylie.

For more information contact:

Jim Russell CEO jrussell@uwpeterborough.ca, 705-742-8839

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For 1 in 4 Canadians who menstruate, period products aren't always in the budget. You can help address period poverty in our community by contributing to our Period Promise campaign.

This year, we're sharing our running total by item type on our website [link in bio], so you can see what we have, and what we still need, as we aim to offer a greater diversity of product to residents experiencing period poverty. - We're also accepting monetary donations, which will allow us to purchase items in bulk.

Product donations will be accepted at the United Way office (277 Stewart Street), Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM until Friday March 13. [Please note: We are closed February 16 for Family Day, and February 26 for Peterborough Performs and will not be present to accept drop offs.] 

If you’d like to get more involved with our 2026 Period Promise campaign, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team! We’d be happy to help you setup a collection at your workplace, share educational resources, or chat about any other ideas you may have.
From Campaign Launch to now - this community keeps showing up. We’re in the final stretch of our Community Campaign, and every act of generosity still matters ❤️!
When words aren’t enough to express how you feel, show your love with tickets to United Way Peterborough & District’s 50/50 raffle! 💖

For the month of love, we’re offering a guaranteed grand prize of ✨$1,000✨ A prize so irresistible, we wouldn’t blame you if you grabbed a few tickets for yourself too. 

👉 Still wondering if you should enter? Just know, that even if you don’t win, your community will. Fifty percent of the proceeds from every ticket sold go directly back to our community so we get the chance to spread the love throughout Peterborough.

🔗 Follow the link in our bio to enter our February 27th draw
🎉 Sponsor Spotlight: Friends of the Stage 🎉

💛 A huge thank you to our Friend of the Stage – Supporting Sponsors for stepping up in support of housing and homelessness initiatives in our community. Your contribution helps make this event possible, and we’re proud to celebrate you at the event and through our virtual auction presented by @llf_lawyers_llp (which launches in less than a week)!

Want to support this work and enjoy an incredible night of local live music and impact?

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now — grab yours and join us at the show on Thursday, February 27th from 7-11pm @ptboshowplace 

🔗 Link in bio
📣 Peterborough and County, we’re only $105,000 away from our $1.6 million Community Campaign goal!

There’s still time to get involved, and every dollar counts - make a donation, buy your 50/50 tickets, attend PTBO Performs VI (and bid on the virtual auction presented by @llf_lawyers_llp , too) and share this EXCITING news with your networks! 

We want it all ❤️ for our community. 

#BuildingCommunity #ChangingLives
The Community Clothing Hub at @path_ptbo will be open this Saturday, February 7th from 10am-3pm for families and individuals to come pick out coats, boots, hats & mitts. 

📍 385 Lansdowne St. East

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