Candlelight for Kids brings in $1,840 in Lakefield
The first Candlelights For Kids fundraising event, held Feb. 17 at the Ontario Speed Skating Oval in Lakefield, raised $1,840, an amount that will be split between Five Counties Children’s Centre and the Speed Skating Oval.
For Five Counties, the funds will go directly to its Building Abilities for Life Campaign that helps reduce wait times and provide priority treatment services such as speech and occupational therapies for children and youth in the region.
“The oval organizes familyfriendly fundraising events each year, and working with Five Counties to hold the first-ever Candelights For Kids was a perfect fit,” said Graham Wilkins, director of the Ontario Speed Skating Oval.
“We’re grateful to our volunteers for helping us get the ice ready in time for the event, and we look forward to working with Five Counties to grow the event in the future,” he added.
Unusually warm weather delayed the event, but winter returned with ideal conditions for the fundraiser. Three hundred skaters participated on the outdoor 400-metre, natural-ice oval, illuminated by lights.
“We are thrilled to have partnered with the Ontario Speed Skating Oval for this family-fun event that supports the life-changing work that we do every day,” said Lyn Giles, director of fund development with Five Counties.
“We’re extremely grateful to all the skaters, volunteers, staff, donors and others who came out to make the event a success. We look forward to working with the Ontario Speed Skating Oval to making this an annual fundraiser.”
The event was sponsored by Adventure Outfitters, Brants Basics, Havelock Metal, Grady’s Feet Essentials, Paluski Boats and Ruttle Group.
Five Counties Children’s Centre provides speech, physio and occupational therapies, as well as other treatment services for kids and youth from birth to 19. For information, visit fivecounties.on.ca. The Ontario Speed Skating Oval offers recreational skaters and speedskaters the opportunity to skate outdoors on a 400-metre track. For information, visit ontariospeedskatingoval.com.
Making soap
The Seasoned Spoon at Trent University is offering a Learn to Make Soap! workshop next Monday from 5 to 8 p.m.
Join Tanya Kranc for this handson workshop and learn to make natural soap from scratch. Each participant will take home 10-12 bars of soap. Peppermint and lavender essential oils will be available, but participants are welcome to bring their own natural essential oils from home to make their own unique blend.
The workshop is $40. Spaces are limited. Register at Eventbrite.ca (search for Learn to make soap!). For information, email spoonvolunteers@gmail.com.
CFGB talk
Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) invites you to learn about this Christian response to hunger Thursday, March 28, at 10 a.m. at St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church, 1140 St. Paul’s St.
Julie Derksen, CFGB’s relations manager from Winnipeg, will talk about her experiences on a trip to project partners in Kenya last year. Those attending will also learn about an exciting new local growing project. For information, call 705933-9368.
Poetry reading
The English department at Trent University presents a Faculty Poetry Reading, the final Writers Reading Series event of the school year, Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the Junior Common Room, 101 Scott House, Traill College, located at 315 Dublin St.
“We’re thrilled to be hosting a faculty reading,” said Aaron Kreuter, in an email on behalf of the Writers Reading Series.
“The three full-time creative writing professors in the English department will be reading from their work, there will be books for sale and a reception to follow. It promises to be a great night, please come out.”
Featured readers include Concetta Principe, a writer of poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction, and scholarship on trauma and literature; Aaron Kreuter, author of four books including poetry, short stories and a monograph; and Rob Winger, author of four books of poetry. All three readers are award winners and/or have been shortlisted for prestigious literary awards.