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

One week ago, we launched our 2026 Community Campaign! 🎉 

Thanks to Campaign Cabinet member, Trista Greer and @ftlom.inc we have the perfect little recap to relive it. ❤️

There are so many ways to be a Certified Neighbour. 

Want to get involved? Whether you’re a business or an individual there’s a role you can play in supporting our community! 

⬇️ Comment “CERTIFIED” and we’ll send you a DM and share the different ways you can support the Campaign! 

#85YearsUnited and we’re just getting started.
The Certified Neighbour Collection is officially here!

You saw it at our Campaign Launch. You asked about it. And now… you can officially get your own Certified Neighbour swag!

Our first drop is live with many ways to rep your neighbourhood, including:
❤️ the 2-Tone Hat
❤️ the Crewneck Fleece
❤️ the Tote

Check out the online store for yourself to see what else is available. 

The best part? Proceeds from every purchase go directly to supporting United Way Peterborough & District’s Community Campaign. The people, programs and organizations that are working to build a stronger community, together.

🛍️ Shop the colllection through the link in our bio

📤 Local pickup at @ricartpromo or shipping options available via Canada Post & Purolator!

Tag your Certified Neighbours in the comments. Share this post. Show us how you’re sporting yours. And let’s see just how far the Certified Neighbour crew can go!
85 years of caring. 85 years of community. And now, a new goal for the future. 

Today, United Way Peterborough & District celebrated 85 years of bringing people together to create lasting change in our community, and launched our 2026 Community Campaign with a goal of $1,585,000!

Together, we can make sure local people have access to the support, opportunities and resources they need to thrive.

Here’s to 85 years of making a difference, and to what we can accomplish together in the years ahead. 

📸 @jordanlyallphotography
Tomorrow is the big day! We’re launching our 2026 Community Campaign. ❤️

We will come together with community leaders, local businesses, supporters and neighbours to celebrate what lies ahead. 

And this year is a big one.

🎉 85 years of United Way in Peterborough & District
🤝 A new campaign led by @_thetiffanyshow 
❤️ New leadership under Jason Seguya
🎯 And tomorrow… we reveal our 2026 campaign goal.
Most importantly, we get to celebrate the people who make this community what it is, and talk about how each of us can show up for our neighbours in the year ahead.

Haven’t grabbed your ticket yet? There’s still time!

📅 Tomorrow, September 17
📍 Healthy Planet Arena
🕛 12:00–1:30 p.m.
🍽️ Hot lunch included
🎟️ $30

Get your ticket today at the link in bio!
We’re just TWO days away! 🎉

And we couldn’t be more excited to have Miskin Law (@miskinlaw) joining us as the Presenting Sponsor of our 2026 Campaign Launch.

For 85 years, United Way Peterborough & District has been bringing people together to create a stronger, more connected community, and we’re kicking off our next chapter with an incredible group of local leaders, businesses and neighbours.

This Thursday, we’ll gather at Healthy Planet Arena to celebrate 85 years of United, welcome our new CEO Jason Seguya, meet our 2026 Campaign Chair Tiffany Arcari (@_thetiffanyshow), and share what’s ahead for this year’s campaign.

📅 Thursday, September 17
📍 Healthy Planet Arena
🕐 12:00–1:30 p.m. | Doors open at 11:30 a.m.
🍽️ Lunch included
🎟️ $30 per person

Have you got your ticket yet? There’s still time to join us!

🎟️ Grab your ticket through the link in our bio.

A huge thank you to the Miskin Law team for helping us kick off this milestone year. We’re so grateful to have you alongside us as we launch the 2026 Community Campaign!
Due to unforeseen circumstances, our office is closed today (Tuesday, September 15). Our team will remain available remotely, and will continue to monitor phones and emails. Thank you for understanding!

We look forward to seeing everyone at Campaign Launch THIS Thursday! Tickets are available online through the link in our bio.
We’re so excited to have the Peterborough County OPP Detachment Board and Siika Foods (@siika_foods) joining us as a Community Sponsors for our 2026 Campaign Launch! ❤️

Their support is helping us bring our community together as we kick off this year’s campaign and celebrate 85 years of United Way Peterborough & District.

We’re just days away from gathering local businesses, community leaders, supporters and neighbours at the 2026 Campaign Launch — and we want you there!

📅 Thursday, September 17
📍 Healthy Planet Arena
🕛 12:00–1:30 p.m. (doors open at 11:30 a.m.)
🍽️ Lunch included
🎟️ $30 per person

Come celebrate 85 years with us, meet this year’s campaign leadership, find out what’s ahead and help us kick off your Community Campaign

Have you got your ticket yet? Grab yours today!

🔗 Tickets available online at the link in bio.

Thank you, Peterborough County OPP Detachment Board and Siika Foods, for helping us launch 2026!
This Labour Day, we honour the courage of union members, advocates, and everyday workers who continue that fight today. ❤️
 
United Way Peterborough & District stands proudly alongside Labour.

Together, we build communities where everyone has what they need to thrive. 

 #LabourDay2026
🚚 Moving thousands of school supplies to fill more than 400 backpacks for local students is made easy thanks to the help of our wonderful friends @autoconnectsales 

✏️Thank you to Cheryl, Martin and the whole team for your support our of Backpacks for Success program. Your generosity makes a real difference in our community!
🎉 PTBO & COUNTY, SAVE THE DATE! 🎉

We’re kicking off something special. 85 years of United Way Peterborough & District and we want you to be there! 

Join us for our 2026 Campaign Launch, presented by Miskin Law [@miskinlaw] as we officially launch this year’s campaign and celebrate the incredible community that has carried the work of United Way forward for 85 years. ❤️

We’re especially excited to welcome 2026 Campaign Chair Tiffany Arcari [@_thetiffanyshow] whose leadership will help guide this year’s campaign, alongside Jason Seguya, our new CEO, as he joins our community for his first Campaign Launch in his new role. Let’s make it a special one😁📣!

📅 September 17, 2026
⏰ 12:00 - 1:30 [doors open at 11:30]
📍 Healthy Planet Arena

More details — including tickets — at the link🔗 in our bio!

85 years united. One community. A campaign to remember.
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