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Executive Director of UWCKL announces retirement

United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes announced at its September 8th AGM, its Executive Director, Penny Barton Dyke will be retiring from the organization after seventeen and a half years.  “It has been a privilege and honour to work with incredible community leaders, donors, volunteers and staff over the years, she noted.  I am looking forward to taking some time off and looking at new adventures.”

Over her tenure, Penny was tasked to be a brave community leader and look at innovative ways to help agencies and the communities that we serve.  With her retirement, we are looking back at some of the ground-breaking work that has been completed:

In 2005-08, UWCKL participated in the largest (and first) collaboration of 16 small rural Ontario United Ways.  This in-depth consultative process was called Community Matters. It became a catalyst that transformed UWCKL’s approach to community engagement and development work.  Ms. Barton Dyke added, “Community Investment has always included traditional agency support. Community Matters steered us towards deeper community conversations which led us to help develop better collaborations with partners.  Essentially, it was a call to action to help lead cutting edge projects and find new ways of working with partners.  UWCKL assisted with the development of the Poverty Reduction Strategy for Haliburton County and the City of Kawartha Lakes.  It really highlighted that our work was going in the right direction but we needed to continue to look for diverse approaches to systemic issues.”

Shantal Ingram, Penny Barton Dyke and Emily Beall are pictured at the Edwin Binney's Community Garden Farm Stand located at 50 Mary Street West in Lindsay.

Pictured (from left to right): Shantal Ingram, Penny Barton Dyke and Emily Beall at the Edwin Binney’s Community Garden Farm Stand located at 50 Mary Street West in Lindsay.

 

Duncan Gallacher, Board President noted in his AGM remarks that UWCKL’s noted it took two years of consultations with more than 30 lead supporters and subject matter experts to create an impactful food security project called Edwin Binney’s Community Garden (EBCG).  EBCG was created four years ago.  With the help of lead partners such as Crayola Canada, Fleming College Sustainable Agriculture and Lindsay Campus and the Otto and Marie Pick Foundation it established a multi-pronged approach to food security and education. Crayola provided land and financial supports.  The Fleming College Sustainable Agriculture program and Lindsay Campus has provided skills and knowledge in planning and growing crops.  The setting has provided experiential learning for its students. From the beginning the Otto and Marie Pick Foundation has supported the initiative by providing funding for paid co-op students and young learners.  In his remarks at the AGM as his last year as President, Gallagher described their Executive Director as one of the most genuine and dedicated people he has ever worked with and he said, “I don’t feel the city will every truly appreciate the positive impact you have had on us all.”

Keeping with innovative approaches, the Board of Directors has hired Emily Beall and Shantal Ingram to be Co-Executive Directors.  Both currently work for UWCKL and bring a wide breadth of talent and dedication to the position.  Ms. Beall is currently the Projects and Communications Coordinator and oversees the EBCG as part of her duties.  Ms. Ingram is the Community Investment Coordinator and has led six campaigns and worked with many of the agencies, donors and volunteers in this role.  They both look forward to meeting with community agency leaders, donors and volunteers as they move into their shared roll.

By |2022-09-19T14:06:02-04:00September 19th, 2022|News, Staff|0 Comments

Introducing the Edwin Binney’s Community Garden Farm Stand!

Beginning Tuesday, July 26th at 10am, United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes will be offering fresh produce from Edwin Binney’s Community Garden! Every Tuesday between 10am – 3pm—or as long as our stock lasts—interested shoppers can visit our 50 Mary Street location in Lindsay, Ontario to choose from a selection of freshly harvested veggies, fruits, and herbs.

Since the garden’s inception we have donated nearly 35,000lbs, the overwhelming majority of our harvest, to local organizations and food banks to help combat food insecurity in our region. As we continue to expand and develop this initiative, fundraising for new pilot projects and additions will be imperative. The new Farm Stand represents one such opportunity for our organization, with all proceeds earned being put back into the ongoing development and maintenance of our community farm.

The Farm Stand will offer a variable pricing model allowing shoppers to pay below market, at market, or above market values depending on their budget. With rising rates of inflation affecting the majority of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton residents, it is important that we offer affordable solutions that also help our projects grow to serve greater numbers of people in our community. We know that community members with means will gladly pay a little extra to help support purchasing by those in dire need. United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes remains committed to alleviating the stress and hardship caused by food insecurity, now more than ever.

cauliflower rows

For the time being, the Farm Stand will only be able to accept cash payment, and we are always excited to receive extra donations at the point of purchase. Our weekly offerings will be posted on our social media channels in advance of each week’s Tuesday market so be sure to check in regularly with our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages to stay informed.

We are so excited to see you at our inaugural Farm Stand market day Tuesday the 26th from 10am – 3pm, right out front of our 50 Mary Street office location!

The UWCKL Team

By |2022-07-19T11:34:16-04:00July 19th, 2022|News|0 Comments

UWCKL Giving is Believing Golf Tournament

 

 

This June United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes will be hosting a brand new fundraising event!

We welcome you to participate in the Giving is Believing Golf Tournament which will take place at Wolf Run golf Clun in Janetville on June 22nd. This tournament aims to raise funds to support our community agency allocations process to ensure that service organizations in the Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton can meet the urgent and emerging needs among their clients.

Some funds will also support the operations of our main food security project: Edwin Binney’s Community Garden. The harvest from the garden continues to prove necessary as the cost of living rises and access to fresh and nutritious food becomes less available. With over 34,000 lbs. of food harvested and donated in 3 years, we must continue this work.

If you are interested to register for the tournament, send an email to Shantal Ingram at communityinvestment@ckl.unitedway.ca

We are looking for tournament sponsors and if you’re interested please contact Jennifer Bain at jbain@ckl.unitedway.ca

Thank you to our hole sponsors:

Thank you to our prize sponsors:

Aaron Hill, Financial Advisor Edward Jones

Via Rail Canada

Amsterdam Brewing Co.

Food Basics

Ice Man Video Games

Crayola Canada

Ontario Out of Doors Magazine

Kawartha Sign & Pillow Company

Fresh FueLL

Burns Bulk Food

By |2022-06-28T10:43:23-04:00May 2nd, 2022|Fundraisers|0 Comments

United Way CKL receives $78,100 OTF Grant

Earlier this year, the United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes (United Way CKL) received a $78,100 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) that it’s used to hire a project manager, a summer student, and a strategic planning consultant to help rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. The project is underway and will allow United Way CKL to prepare for change.

“The pandemic has had a significant impact on local non-profit organizations and how they deliver services to our community members,” said Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock. “This funding will help United Way CKL recover and adapt to the emerging needs of the community by building their organizational capacity and ability to deliver programs and services.”

In addition to the strategic planning process, United Way CKL will also be able to equip board members and employees with the supports to implement new approaches, improve and increase access to financial resources and develop new sources of revenue. With this grant, United Way CKL will be able to adapt the organization’s ability to respond to emerging needs in the community.

“The impact of this Ontario Trillium Foundation grant cannot be underestimated,” said Duncan Gallacher, Board Chair of the United Way CKL. “This grant has started our pandemic recovery process and we look forward to working with the strategic planning consultant to create a plan that will help us rebuild and strengthen our organization’s ability to respond to emerging needs.”

The United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes is committed to improving lives in the City of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County by engaging people and working together. For more information on how the United Way is helping our community, please visit www.ckl-unitedway.ca.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. Last year, nearly $112M was invested into 1,384 community projects and partnerships to build healthy and vibrant communities and strengthen the impact of Ontario’s non-profit sector. In 2020/21, OTF supported Ontario’s economic recovery by helping non-profit organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Visit otf.ca to learn more.

By |2021-09-20T13:04:45-04:00September 20th, 2021|Uncategorized|0 Comments

Please help police find stolen tractor

As the work of growing food for our communities continues at Edwin Binney’s Community Garden, some of our production and processes have been slowed by the theft of a John Deere tractor that took place on July 9th or 10th.  A tractor is an integral tool for an agricultural endeavour.  It helps increase our production meaning more food can be donated to more than 20 agencies and programs. This project is a direct response to our community and is one more layer of help for hundreds of people needing help to access fresh and healthy foods.  

“We consider this a despicable act that impacts many people in the community.  We are grateful to the Kawartha Lakes Police Services for responding quickly and launching an investigation.  Police are looking for any witnesses who may have seen the incident or know who may have committed this alleged crime and are asking them to contact police at 705-324-5252. If you wish to provide information anonymously you can do so through Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.TIPSS (8477) or at www.kh.crimestoppersweb.com . Please help find this tractor. 

We want to extend a big thanks to David E Burns for helping us with a few of the large, urgent chores,” says Penny Barton Dyke, Executive Director for United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes.   

By |2021-07-23T12:21:23-04:00July 23rd, 2021|Uncategorized|0 Comments

United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes, Crayola Canada cancel 2021 ‘Crayola Sale’

For a second year, the Pandemic has forced the United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes and Crayola Canada to cancel the popular Crayola Sale. Prior to 2020, this annual event had taken place every fall for more than 30 years.  Over $1 million has been generated from the sale and Crayola’s workplace campaign.

Hundreds of people come to this sale from across the province and with continued health concerns, both UWCKL and Crayola Canada decided the safety of customers and supporters must be a priority.

“With so much uncertainty, we have made the very difficult decision to cancel the sale again, as the health and safety of staff, customers and volunteers is our highest priority,” explains Paul Murphy, General Manager of Crayola Canada. “The cancellation of the sales does not change Crayola Canada’s commitment to our relationship with the UWCKL.  We will continue to work with them and find new ways to support their efforts within our community.”

“Crayola continues to support our work in the community, and we are grateful for their commitment to United Way. While we are disappointed that the sale will be cancelled again this year, we appreciate Crayola’s commitment to our community,” says Shantal Ingram, Community Investment Coordinator for United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes.

Our work continues with Edwin Binney’s Community Garden, located on Crayola’s property in Lindsay, where we grew over 12,700lbs of food last year which was donated to food programs in the City of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton.  If you would like to support our education centre and food security program, go to our website. https://ckl-unitedway.ca/donate-now/

The LEX helps host the event at its facility here in Lindsay. In an effort to continue support for non-profit agencies it held the Merry & Bright Festival last year to help local organizations. The LEX will be hosting this again and will release details shortly.

By |2021-06-16T13:13:10-04:00June 16th, 2021|Uncategorized|0 Comments

United Way disperses additional $90,000 in emergency funding to Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton programs.

 

On October 5, 2020, United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes launched a second call for applications for the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF). The fund provides financial support to charities and other qualified donees adapting their frontline services to support vulnerable Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government of Canada has released the balance of funding for ECSF which is being administered in collaboration with United Way Centraide Canada, Community Foundations of Canada and the Canadian Red Cross.

 

Today, United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes is pleased to share an update on the recipients of this second round of funding. United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes has received over 12 applications for community programs and services that support vulnerable community members. To date, 23 organizations have been approved for a total of $344,723.08.

 

Programs funded through this round of the Emergency Community Response Fund include:

 

City of Kawartha Lakes

  • A Place Called Home, Homeless Shelter, $7,500
  • Boys and Girls Club City of Kawartha Lakes, After School Program, $7,500
  • Centre of Hope, Food Bank, $7,500
  • Canadian Mental Health Association HKPR, Health Promotion, $7,500
  • Coboconk and Area Food Bank, Food Bank, $5,101.94
  • Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes, Standing Together and Receiving Support (S.T.A.R.S.) Program, $7,500
  • Five Counties Children’s Centre, Outdoor Treatment Space, $7,473.70
  • Therapeutic Horse Riding in Lindsay (T.H.R.I.L.) $7,500

 

Haliburton County

  • Point in Time, Closing the Gap Connectivity Program, $7,500
  • Rotary Club of Haliburton, Good Food Box, $5,500
  • SIRCH, Lunch Tickets, $7,500

 

Cross Jurisdictional

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters, Virtual School Mentoring, $7,500

 

United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes is proud to support the important investment of $90,000 into our local communities. A portion of the investment was used to assemble the and train the application review committee, liaise with community groups and applicants, and monitor the distribution of funds with the federal government..

 

“Charities and non-profit organizations are at the heart of our communities, helping the most vulnerable Canadians during the COVID-19 crisis. The Government of Canada is pleased to support these organizations through the Emergency Community Support Fund so that they can continue their invaluable work.” says The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.

 

“The impact of this investment is threefold;” writes Penny Barton Dyke, Executive Director of UWCKL. “Organizations in our area will be able to help people, especially citizens at risk, with some supports more rapidly; assist in connecting people to agencies that will help them now and going forward; and lastly help strengthen the capacity of our community by working collaboratively.”

Media Contacts:

Mallory Cramp-Waldinsperger,

Projects and Communications Coordinator,

United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes

By |2020-11-27T11:30:46-05:00November 27th, 2020|News|0 Comments

United Way Community Garden Donates 12,700 lbs of produce to City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton organizations.

United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes announced Monday that the cumulative total of produce donated from Edwin Binney’s Community Garden 2020 was over 12,700 lbs. Produce from the garden reached 1,315 individuals across the City of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton through food banks and community organizations. An additional 275 participants received produce through three pilot projects; Fresh Produce Friday, which served three housing communities in partnership with the City of Kawartha Lakes; Garden at Your Table, which delivered produce in collaboration with Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes; and Haliburton FoodLove in partnership with HHHS Community Programs.

The garden has more than doubled last year’s total yield of 5,500 lbs. This year, the size of the plowed area was expanded to produce larger yields, and multiple crops were planted in succession throughout the season. With funding from Tree Canada, UWCKL and Fleming College planted over 100 fruit trees at the garden earlier this month. Their team is anticipating even greater yields and more variety due to the addition of this orchard for years to come.

The ongoing development of partnerships has brought incredible dedicated experts together for the past several years to help design Edwin Binney’s Community Garden.  In its second season, this unique agricultural food security initiative and education center has yielded far more than anticipated by the main partners, Crayola Canada, Fleming College and UWCKL.   “Fleming College’s lead experts helped us plan a response to support current food programs here and in Haliburton County,” explains Penny Barton Dyke, Executive Director of UWCKL. “Seniors, families, and those who found themselves more isolated during this time were able to receive healthy fresh food.  We are grateful to our donors and supporters especially during who made it possible to ramp up our production,” she adds.

More information on Edwin Binney’s Community Garden can be found at https://ckl-unitedway.ca/edwin-binney-community-garden/

By |2020-11-23T15:58:19-05:00November 23rd, 2020|News|0 Comments

Edwin Binney’s Community Garden exceeds 10,000 lbs of produce harvested in 2020!

Edwin Binney’s community garden has exceeded 10,000 lbs of produce harvested this season; United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes announced Monday. The community garden is in its second year of production, and provides food to 11 local food banks, 10 charity organizations, as well as additional clients and school groups from May to October. The garden came about through community consultations with local stakeholders, Crayola Canada and Fleming College becoming lead partners with UWCKL.

Last year, the final total was 5,500 lbs of produce donated. This year, the size of the plowed area was expanded in order to produce larger yields, and multiple crops were planted in succession throughout the season.

Reaching the milestone was an important moment for UWCKL’s team, explains Executive Director Penny Barton Dyke, “We have had a fabulous team working to create substantial leaps in the yield this year in anticipation of greater need for fresh food during Covid-19.  Our team is excited about reaching this milestone and they worked tirelessly through some tough weather and within COVID-19 restrictions.”  “Knowing this garden is helping people is what drives all of us,” she adds.

As the season wraps up, their team is as busy as ever. Not only is work at the garden continuing to prepare for its third season, but UWCKL’s work in providing funding to community programs is facing greater demand than ever, explains Shantal Ingram, Community Investment Coordinator. “Donations to this year’s campaign will help UWCKL address essential needs in the City of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County during the COVID-19 pandemic and as we recover and rebuild over the long term. Every donation will make a difference to the lives of your friends, neighbours and colleagues who are experiencing challenges due to the pandemic.”

More information on Edwin Binney’s Community Garden can be found at https://ckl-unitedway.ca/edwin-binney-community-garden/

By |2020-10-05T13:42:37-04:00October 5th, 2020|Uncategorized|0 Comments

United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes announces over $90,000 in emergency support funding for local organizations

United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes is accepting funding applications for the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF) Round 2 from October 5 to October 30, 2020. The fund continues to provide financial support to charities and other qualified donees adapting their frontline services to support vulnerable Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government of Canada has released this balance of funding for ECSF and it is being administered in collaboration with United Way Centraide Canada, Community Foundations of Canada and the Canadian Red Cross.

 

United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes is proud to support this important additional investment of $92,396.00 into our local communities.

“The impact of this investment is threefold;” writes Penny Barton Dyke, Executive Director of UWCKL. “Organizations in our area will be able to help people, especially citizens at risk, with some supports more rapidly; assist in connecting people to agencies that will help them now and going forward; and lastly help strengthen the capacity of our community by working collaboratively.”

“Charities and non-profit organizations are at the heart of our communities, helping the most vulnerable Canadians during the COVID-19 crisis. The Government of Canada is pleased to support these organizations through the Emergency Community Support Fund so that they can continue their invaluable work,” says The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

About United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes

The mission of the United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes is to improve lives and build community by engaging individuals and mobilizing collective action. The United Way of CKL strives to increase capacity building for community impacts. Education, resources, networking and partnerships are key components in community building. United Way has the ability to direct funds to specific projects and geographic locations and these designated investments are transparent and accountable. Empowering people in our community is paramount to positive outcomes for our United Way and citizens.

Media Contact:

Mallory Cramp-Waldinsperger, Projects and Communications Coordinator

office@ckl.unitedway.ca

By |2020-10-02T12:56:43-04:00October 2nd, 2020|News|0 Comments
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