Thursday
March 28
2019

United Way Rolls Out The Red Carpet Showing Its #LocalLove

PETERBOROUGH, ON – The Red Carpet was rolled out and the stars of Peterborough packed the sold-out United Way annual Campaign celebration today in the Nexicom studio at Showplace Performance Centre.

Striking an Oscar theme, the room was awash in candlelight, balloons, and golden chocolate bunnies taking the place of actual Oscar awards. An ebullient Megan Murphy, the 2018 Campaign Chair, noted her gratitude stating, “my heart has been full with the stories I have heard, and the outpouring of this community.”

Highlights of the celebration included a walk down a red carpet, and a paparazzi photo booth, where red boas, red sunglasses, and red fedoras were donned for pictures. In addition, seven short films all produced and directed by Murphy entitled 50 People One Peterborough, played during the lunch which was provided by, By the Bridge Catering.

Murphy, born and raised in Peterborough, is a renowned actor and documentary film maker who brought her directorial eye to this year’s campaign, emphasizing the “power of story”. Each film started with a single question, such as “what does home mean to you.” Reactions were thoughtful, funny, heartbreaking, life affirming, and always a reminder of the deep humanity in us all.

A guerilla campaign called “Chalk Talk” was marked by four large chalk boards placed in various locations throughout the city. Each board had a conversation starter, such as “I’m Inspired By…” and people were invited to chalk up their ideas and reactions.

 This year was a show of 100% Local Love. An effusive Jim Russell, CEO of the United Way of Peterborough and District announced that this year’s campaign achieved, $1,735,000.

“This year’s success allows us to continue our current commitment to our 46 funded partners and projects and we are thrilled to be able to continue our current level of investment in the community.  Thank you Peterborough for showing 100% Local Love.”

A sea of red signs with the name of every partner and project was held up to demonstrate the breadth of investment across the sector and community.

The 2019 Campaign Chair will be announced on April 4th.

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For more information, please contact;
Jim Russell, CEO
United Way Peterborough & District
T: 705-742-8839
E: jrussell@uwpeterborough.ca

Stay tuned for more event photos!

Social Posts

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.

📅 Reminder: The tax deadline for charitable contributions is December 31.

Show your #LocalLove and donate to United Way Peterborough & District to help build community & change lives.

Consider donating today, visit the link in our bio to learn more about our work and ways to give.

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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. 📅 Reminder: The tax deadline for charitable contributions is December 31. Show your #LocalLove and donate to United Way Peterborough & District to help build community & change lives. 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.

Reminder: there is a secure mailbox located at the front of our office (277 Stewart St.) checked daily.

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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. Reminder: there is a secure mailbox located at the front of our office (277 Stewart St.) checked daily.

🚨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:
🔗 uwpeterborough.ca/reaching-home/ or follow 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: 🔗 uwpeterborough.ca/reaching-home/ or follow the link in our bio

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.

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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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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!

🎄✨Festive sweaters described in one word only!

We brought the holiday spirit in support of our @unitedwayptbo workplace campaign!

Which one’s your favourite? 🤨

#UnitedWayPTBO #BuildingCommunity

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🎄✨Festive sweaters described in one word only! We brought the holiday spirit in support of our @unitedwayptbo workplace campaign! Which one’s your favourite? 🤨 #UnitedWayPTBO #BuildingCommunity

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.

If you or someone you know needs support during this time, please remember that help is available by calling 211, 24/7.

Wishing you a safe, restful, and joyful holiday season. 🎄✨

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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. If you or someone you know needs support during this time, please remember that help is available by calling 211, 24/7. Wishing you a safe, restful, and joyful holiday season. 🎄✨

Looking for food support this holiday season?

Please visit the City of Peterborough website for information on food banks and free meals.

peterborough.ca/foodcalendar

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Looking for food support this holiday season? Please visit the City of Peterborough website for information on food banks and free meals. peterborough.ca/foodcalendar
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