Our Day of Caring event brings the community together while demonstrating the power of volunteering. Local businesses partner with United Way Peterborough & District to assist in completing projects at United Way funded agencies. These projects vary and can include construction, restoration, community special events or agency work. By providing a team of volunteers, companies help member agencies complete important tasks. Day of Caring is a unique event that allows businesses to get directly involved in their own community while promoting team building, boosting morale, and increasing your company’s community profile. The Day of Caring program connects businesses with volunteer opportunities that matter to you and your community.
Learn More: Day of Caring
Since the Backpacks for Success program launched locally in 2003, United Way Peterborough & District has provided more than 13,000 backpacks containing grade-appropriate school supplies to local youth in Kindergarten through Grade 12 who are financially vulnerable. Each year, this program sees community donors and volunteers come together to make a tangible difference by ensuring that local students are provided with the tools they need to be successful.
Learn More: Backpacks for Success
Returning for 2026- The Ultimate Burger Battle is our month-long celebration of local flavours, community spirit, and giving. Participating restaurants will create signature ultimate burgers, and a portion of each sale helps support United Way’s initiatives across Peterborough and District.
Learn More: Ultimate Burger Battle
We know the need for warm winter coats in our community is great, not just for local youth but for economically vulnerable adults as well. In 2023, we collected and distributed 1,844 coats to residents of Peterborough City and County who were unable to purchase their own.
Learn More: Coats for Community
Peterborough Performs is a one-of-a-kind evening of live music and community impact. Featuring local musicians, this special event brings people together for one unforgettable night in support of our most vulnerable neighbours.
Join us Thursday, March 4, 2027 as we celebrate local talent, build awareness, and stand united for change.
Learn More: Peterborough Performs
Menstruation products are a basic necessity. But if you’re living in poverty – or vulnerable in other ways – access to tampons, pads, cups or menstrual underwear, can be challenging.
Learn More: Period Promise
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.
Day of Caring = a day to remember! 💙☀️
This past Friday, more than 40 incredible volunteers from workplaces across Peterborough and County came together to support 7 of our amazing partner agencies: Big Brothers Big Sisters, The John Howard Society of the Kawarthas, New Canadians Centre, PARN, YWCA Peterborough Haliburton, Elizabeth Fry Society, and YES Shelter.
What started as a cloudy morning turned into a beautiful sunny day, perfect for gardening, landscaping, lending a hand at a community block party, and making a real difference. In just a few short hours, these dedicated teams accomplished so much. Many hands truly do make light work! 🌱
We`re so grateful to each volunteer and to our valued sponsors who made this day possible:
💙 Friend Sponsors: Van de Bor Paving Ltd. and Kawartha Dairy
🥤 In-Kind Sponsor: The Market Lakefield for keeping our volunteers refreshed throughout the day
⭐ Presenting Sponsor: Miskin Law for their generous contribution of $5,000 toward building a stronger Peterborough
Thank you to everyone who made this year`s Day of Caring such a success. We can`t wait to see what we continue to accomplish together in 2026!
Our grand finale retirement prank: a boardroom full of Jim’s!
Thanks for the laughs, Jim.
The end of another school year is drawing near, and we’re feeling oh so grateful for all of the incredible educators in our community! 🙏🍎
We want to help you say “thank you” to an educator who’s made a difference in your life this year with a United Way “Good Apple Award”. Every certificate purchased directly supports United Way’s Backpacks for Success initiative, supplying students in Peterborough & County with the materials they need to be successful in the 2026/27 school year.
🔗 Visit the link in our bio to get your certificate today!
Today is National Indigenous Peoples Day.
We celebrate the diverse cultures, histories, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.
Let’s continue learning and reflecting together
Happy Father’s Day 💙
Your love and guidance help build stronger communities.
Today, United Way Peterborough & District is announcing an important leadership transition.
As Jim Russell prepares to retire after nearly 15 years as Chief Executive Officer, we extend our deepest gratitude for his leadership, dedication, and commitment to building a stronger community. Jim`s impact on this organization and the people we serve will be felt for years to come.
At the same time, we are pleased to welcome Jason Seguya as our next Chief Executive Officer, effective July 6, 2026. Jason brings experience leading mission-driven organizations and a strong commitment to collaboration, community engagement, and positive social impact.
As we look ahead to our 85th year of serving Peterborough & County, we are excited for the future and confident in the leadership that will guide us into this next chapter.
Please join us in thanking Jim for his years of service and welcoming Jason to the United Way movement.
Read more at the link in our bio.
After nearly nine years with United Way Peterborough & District, we’re saying goodbye (but not really goodbye) to Rhonda Gilchrist as she begins an exciting new chapter as Executive Director of The Mount Community Centre. Rhonda has been a steady hand, a fierce advocate, a problem solver, and a champion for this community in every sense of the word.
For those of us lucky enough to work alongside her, we’ll miss her wisdom, her humour, the stories of her beloved pets, her unwavering dedication, and her ability to somehow make even the most challenging days feel manageable.
While we’re sad to see her go, we couldn’t be happier to see her step into a role that aligns so perfectly with her passion for building a stronger, more connected community.
Thank you, Rhonda, for everything you’ve given to United Way, to our team, and to Peterborough. We can’t wait to see all the incredible things you’ll accomplish next. Please join us in congratulating Rhonda!
This #ThankfulThursday, we`re sending a huge shoutout to all our Day of Caring sponsors! 📣✨
These incredible businesses are helping make #Peterborough and County a better place to live and we couldn`t be more grateful for their partnership.
➡️ Interested in being part of Day of Caring? Send us a message to dayofcaring@uwpeterborough.ca to learn how you can get involved!
🍎 THEY’RE BACK! 🍎
A great educator can change the course of a life.
They stay after class. They cheer students on. They build confidence, spark curiosity, and help young people discover what they’re capable of.
This year, say “thank you” in a way that gives back.
Our Thank an Educator certificates are back and available now! When you make a $25 donation to United Way Peterborough & District’s Backpacks for Success program, we’ll send a personalized digital certificate (you get to choose from 4 options) for an educator of your choice, letting them know they’ve been honoured in recognition of the difference they’ve made in local students lives.
It’s a meaningful way to celebrate a teacher, EA, principal, ECE, coach, or mentor while helping local students head back to school with the supplies they need to succeed.
✨ Honour an educator
🎒 Support local students
❤️ Create a lasting impact
Because the people who help students succeed deserve to be celebrated.
Link in bio!
#ThankAnEducator #BackpacksForSuccess
[Part 3/3] If you`ve been following along, here are the remaining agencies supported through our Agency Capacity Fund! 🌟
➡️ From 2026–2029, 20 funded partners will receive a total of $75,000 over three years. This annual investment of $500,000 into local social service organizations provides flexible operational funding, improving stability within the non-profit sector.
The Agency Capacity Fund is the largest funding stream within our new impact model, supporting organizations that are making a difference across #Peterborough and county every day.
Stay up to date on United Way Peterborough & District`s work and upcoming funding opportunities by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
🤳 Visit uwpeterborough.ca/partner-agencies/ for the full list
