Welcome To Our April Newsletter | | |
Welcome to the April edition of the Community Care newsletter! In this issue we celebrate our 40th Anniversary, honour our volunteers during National Volunteer Week, launch our 21st Annual Hike for Hospice, and much more!
View the newsletter on our website
| | Celebrating 40 Years of Care | | |
This year marks a major milestone for Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes—our 40th Anniversary! Over the past four decades, we’ve been proud to serve and support Kawartha Lakes, and now it’s time to celebrate everything we’ve accomplished together.
CCCKL has been a pillar in the community for 40 years, providing vital health and community support services across Kawartha Lakes. CCCKL was provincially incorporated as a non-profit organization on April 26, 1985 and began offering Meals on Wheels and Transportation services. CCCKL has evolved over the years to meet the growing needs of Kawartha Lakes residents and now offers more than 40 programs and services. We were founded on the principle of neighbours-helping-neighbours, and to this day our staff remains supported by more than 300 volunteers.
As we look back on our rich history, we’re also looking forward to the next chapter. We’re excited to announce that throughout the year, we’ll be hosting a series of festivities to celebrate with YOU—the community that has been with us every step of the way. Whether you’ve been with us for 40 years or are just joining in, there will be plenty of opportunities to connect, reflect, and have fun as we mark this exciting milestone.
Stay tuned to our website and social media for updates on upcoming events, and be sure to join us in celebrating this incredible journey.
| 'Dear Community Care' Campaign | |
As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, we want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we've had and the amazing people we've had the privilege of serving — you! Over the years, your support, dedication, and belief in our mission have made all the difference, and we would love to hear how our services have impacted your life.
We're inviting current and former clients, volunteers, and partners to participate in our special "Dear Community Care" campaign by sharing their stories. Whether it's a brief note or a heartfelt letter, your words can help us celebrate the power of community and the lasting change we've created together.
How to Participate:
- Write a letter, note or email telling us how our services have made a difference in your life or the lives of those you’ve worked with. You can share moments of growth, transformation, or simply how our programs have touched your heart.
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Submit your story along with any photos you wish to include by email to communications@ccckl.ca or mail your handwritten letters and notes to:
Communications
Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes
21 Angeline St. N.
Lindsay, ON
K9V 5B7
We'll be featuring selected stories across our platforms and celebrating the powerful impact we’ve made together over the years.
Your story is an essential part of our history, and we can't wait to hear from you!
Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey.
Here’s to 40 years of serving our community, and to many more years of care.
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Celebrating 40 Years of Service and Supporting Our Canadian Community
Dear Community Care Clients and Friends,
April marks a momentous milestone in our Community Care history, as we celebrate our 40th anniversary of providing health and community based support services to the residents of Kawartha Lakes.
Our 40th anniversary gives great reason to reflect on how far Community Care has come in the services we offer. In the last year alone, we added a new physician to our primary care team which collectively offered nearly 18,000 care visits last year. Last year Ontario Health funded Community Care to hire a Palliative Care Clinical Coach who is working with local partners to strengthen the delivery of end-of-life care in our community. We received investment to purchase two new specialized transportation vehicles to replace aging vans. This type of support allowed approximately 40,000 rides to important dialysis visits, cancer treatments and more. This is just a glimpse into the year that was and our continued pursuit to strengthen the service and care we offer to the City of Kawartha Lakes community.
As we celebrate 40 years, we need to recognize some key stakeholders who help us deliver on our mandate every day. First is our incredible team, from our 165 staff to our 350+ volunteers (who donated 54,000 hours of care last year), our care does not happen without you – thank you! Our clients who give us feedback to strengthen our care based on their lived experience – thank you! To our community of donors who support our Community Care Foundation, we are eternally grateful for your care and the trust you have in Community Care – thank you! Finally to our stakeholders who we work in tandem with to deliver the right care, in the right place, at the right time – thank you!
As we move forward, we do so against a backdrop of challenge and uncertainty in the world. Some of the politically charged realities impact the work we do here at Community Care. For example, Ontario’s new Procurement Restriction Policy applies to all public sector entities and is designed to restrict United States businesses from accessible public sector procurement in Ontario. Fortunately, the vast majority of Community Care purchasing for programs like Meals on Wheels complies with these policy directives. We will continue to navigate these challenging times while aiming to minimize any impact on the care and support we provide.
As we celebrate this tremendous 40-year milestone for CCCKL, we will be sharing stories and reflections during the coming months about the lasting impact that together we have made in Kawartha Lakes. We look forward to continuing to serve you and working together to create a healthier, stronger, and more connected future for all.
-Ryan Alexander, CEO Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes
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Happy National Volunteer Week!
April 27 - May 3
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As we celebrate National Volunteer Week, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the many dedicated volunteers who have shaped and supported Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes over the past 40 years. From delivering meals and offering rides to supporting our programs and services behind the scenes, your time, energy, and kindness make a lasting impact.
This week, and every week, we honour the incredible individuals—past and present—who give so generously to help others. Your contributions strengthen our community in countless ways, and we are truly grateful.
To learn more about volunteering with CCCKL, visit www.ccckl.ca/volunteer or call 705-324-7323 ext. 466.
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Celebrating 35 Years of Service:
Darlene Smith’s Lasting Impact on Community Care
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As part of our 40th anniversary, we’re flipping through the archives—and look what we found! This snapshot from our Spring 2004 newsletter celebrated National Volunteer Week, just like we are this week.
Some things never change, like how amazing our volunteers are. Whether it was 2004 or present day, the heart of Community Care has always been the people who give their time and energy to help others.
To all our volunteers, past and present: thank you for everything you’ve done to support our community. We wouldn’t be here without you!
| | | Hike for Hospice is Back! | | |
Lace up your shoes and walk with purpose at our 21st annual Hike for Hospice on Sunday, June 1, 2025. Starting at our new building at 21 Angeline Street North, Lindsay, this heartfelt event invites our community to walk in memory, in honour, and in support of those facing life-limiting illness and grief.
Registration opens at 11:00AM and opening ceremonies will commence at 1:00PM
Enjoy a family-friendly day with refreshments, giveaways, and a special moment of remembrance. Can’t join us in person? You can still take part and “Hike Where You Are”!
All funds raised stay local to support CCCKL’s no-cost hospice and bereavement services.
Learn more, register, or donate at www.hikeforhospice.ca.
| We are incredibly grateful to our generous event sponsors whose support helps make this day—and the vital work of hospice care—possible. | | | Get Your Summer 50/50 Tickets! | | Reserve a spot at our Diners Club this month! | | Nordic Pole Walking is Back! | | 2025 Nordic Pole Walking Schedule | | |
Nayoro Park, Lindsay
Starts Friday, May 9th
- Friday and Tuesday mornings, 9AM - 10AM
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NEW! Tuesday evenings, 6PM - 7PM
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Wilderness Park, Bobcaygeon
Starts Tuesday, May 20
- Tuesday mornings, 9AM - 10AM
| | | Meet Our Board of Directors! | | |
Pat Ryan, a dedicated member of our Board of Directors, recently shared his exciting journey with Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes. Through his involvement, Pat has contributed to meaningful projects and experienced firsthand the rewards of helping to strengthen care in our community.
We are currently looking for compassionate, community-minded individuals like Pat to join our Board. As a Board member, you’ll have the opportunity to make a real impact and help guide the future of care and support services across Kawartha Lakes. Watch the video below to see Pat's thoughts about volunteering on our board.
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CARE FOR ALL AGES
We're here to help
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