Welcome To Our April Newsletter

Welcome to the April edition of our Community Care newsletter! In this issue we celebrate National Volunteer Week, start the countdown to Hike for Hospice and much more!

View the newsletter on our website

Celebrating the Heart of Our Community

National Volunteer Week (April 19-25)

A Message from Ryan Alexander, CEO

National Volunteer Week offers an important opportunity to recognize and celebrate the remarkable people who give their time, compassion and energy in service to others. This year’s theme, Ignite Volunteerism, speaks to the power of participation and the ways volunteering strengthens connection, belonging and resilience in our communities. More than 40 years ago, a small group of passionate individuals ignited a movement that has grown into four decades of neighbours helping neighbours – ensuring people receive care and support at the right time, in the right place. Today, that spirit lives on through the extraordinary commitment of more than 320 volunteers, who bring compassion to life across the City of Kawartha Lakes.

Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. Whether delivering meals, providing transportation, offering friendly visiting, supporting programs, or walking alongside clients and families through hospice services, volunteers help make compassionate, community-based support possible. Their contributions are felt not only in the services they provide, but in the dignity, connection and care they bring to every interaction.

I often say Community Care is strengthened by the people who surround it, and our volunteers are a powerful reflection of that. Through their care, volunteerism comes to life in incredibly meaningful ways – kindling a sense of belonging for clients gathered with new friends at a Diners Club, sparking moments of connection and engagement for seniors living with dementia in our Adult Day Programs, fostering companionship in the quiet, delicate days following the loss of a loved one, or transporting someone to cancer treatment after a life altering diagnosis. The generosity, kindness, and unwavering commitment of our volunteers are truly second to none.

During National Volunteer Week, our staff came together to share a special video message of gratitude to honour all those who volunteer with Community Care. I invite you to watch the message below and join us in celebrating the incredible volunteers who help make our community stronger each and every day.

To all of our volunteers – thank you! Your compassion inspires us, and your contributions make a meaningful difference in the lives of so many.

With gratitude,

Ryan Alexander

CEO, Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFXtJckG7js

A Reminder For Our Volunteers

Don't forget to join us for the Volunteer Virtual Town Hall on April 27th. This is a chance for you to connect with our CEO and ask any questions you may have about Community Care! Check your inbox for the invitation and Zoom link.

Volunteers are also invited to join us on May 1^st for a Volunteer Appreciation Afternoon Tea and Bingo in your honor!

Please register in advance by emailing volunteerservices@ccckl.ca and join us for light refreshments, tea and cake as we celebrate and thank you for all that you do.

We look forward to spending this time together in appreciation of your valuable contributions to CCCKL!

Volunteer With Us

Hike for Hospice Registration is Open!

Lace up your shoes and get ready to make a difference at the 22nd Annual Hike for Hospice.

Join us on June 7, 2026 as we come together as a community to support compassionate, end-of-life care right here at home. Every step you take helps provide comfort, dignity, and support to those who need it most.

Can’t make it? Donations are always welcome!

We are proud to announce our incredible Gold Sponsors this year: OPUS Lakeland Funeral & Cremation Centre, Economy Wheels Nissan, and MSI – Marquis Snow and Ice! Thank you for helping make this event possible!

Have questions? We’re here to help! Get in touch at foundation@ccckl.ca

Hike for Hospice Registration

Help Us Build Activity Kits for Friendly Visits

We’re looking for your help to bring even more connection and support to our Friendly Visiting Program.

We are currently creating activity bins to support volunteer visits with clients who may benefit from additional engagement and stimulation. These items will help spark conversation, encourage interaction, and make visits even more meaningful.

We are accepting new or gently used items (complete and in good condition), including:

Colouring books, word searches, and crosswords
Easy-to-follow board games for two players (e.g., Scrabble, Snakes and Ladders)
Trivia cards or games
Memory match games
Decks of cards
Dominoes
Books with short stories (great for reading aloud)
Magazines

Donations can be dropped off Mondays-Fridays between 8:30-4:30 at:

📍 152 Angeline St. N., Lindsay

📍 70 Murray St., Fenelon Falls

Donations are accepted until May 30^th.

If you have items to donate but are unable to make a drop off, please get in touch with us at hssinfo@ccckl.ca or call 705-324-7323 ext. 225.

Your support will help create meaningful moments of connection for those who need it most. Thank you for helping us make a difference!

Join One of Our Boards of Directors!

Apply Here

Turn Your Next Event Into Support for Community Care

Have an idea for a fundraiser? Whether it’s a bake sale, golf tournament, birthday fundraiser, or something uniquely your own, you can make a difference through third-party fundraising in support of the Community Care Foundation.

When you host a fundraising event or initiative, you help support essential local programs and services— all while bringing people together around a cause that matters.

To help get you started, the Foundation has created a new Third-Party Fundraising Toolkit, filled with ideas, tips, resources, and inspiration for planning a successful event in support of Community Care.

Third Party Fundraising Toolkit

Together, we can turn community spirit into meaningful support.

Ready to get started? Get in touch with us at foundation@ccckl.ca or call 705-324-7323 ext 8

Expanding Access to Primary Care in Our Community

We’re pleased to share that new provincial funding will help connect more than 5,400 residents in the City of Kawartha Lakes to primary care. Through this investment, Community Care will expand our team by adding a Nurse Practitioner and allied health support—helping more people access the care they need, closer to home.

This is an important step toward strengthening local healthcare and ensuring equitable access for those who need it most.

Learn more

Wellness Program Updates

May Wellness Connections Session

Ontario Drug Benefit and Trillium Drug Benefit

Thursday May 14^th 1:30 – 3 pm

Learn how Ontario’s public drug coverage programs can help make medications more affordable and easier to access. This session will introduce the Ontario Drug Benefit Program and Trillium Drug Program, including who may be eligible. A licensed pharmacist will walk through the application process step by step, share practical tips, and answer common questions to help you better understand your options.

Wellness Connections

Nordic Pole Walking is Back!

With warmer weather on the way, we’re excited to welcome back Nordic Pole Walking this May!

Join us in Lindsay at Nayoro Park starting May 12:

Tuesdays from 6:00–7:00 p.m.

Fridays from 9:00–10:00 a.m.

Nordic Pole Walking is a great way to stay active, using specially designed poles to engage your upper body while you walk — offering a more full-body workout that supports strength, balance, and coordination. Sessions are free, led by certified instructors, and no pre-registration is required. Poles can be provided upon request.

We are also planning to offer Nordic Pole Walking in Bobcaygeon, with details coming soon — stay tuned!

As we head outdoors, our Walk in the Halls program has wrapped up for the season. We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Lindsay Collegiate and Vocational Institute (LCVI) for generously providing space, as well as to the dedicated volunteers who helped make this program such a success. Your support kept our community moving all winter long!

Visit https://ccckl.ca/exercise-programs/ or call us at 705-324-7323 ext. 181 to learn more.

Exercise Programs

CCCKL Wellness Program Calendar

Check out all our upcoming wellness programs this May! Click the calendar below for a larger PDF version that you can view and download.

All Wellness Programs

Let's Do Lunch!

Join us at our Diners Club for some warm and tasty meals, all freshly prepared by our team.

Diners Club

Join Us in Making Every Day Better

At Community Care, every role is a chance to create real, lasting change. Whether you’re lending your time as a volunteer or building a career in care, you become part of something bigger—a community rooted in compassion, connection, and hope. If you’re looking for purpose and the opportunity to truly make a difference, we invite you to explore our current openings.

Together, we can make every day better!