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Yarmouth Pet Valu fundraises third most across all Canadian locations

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A Nova Scotia pet store is one of the country’s biggest fundraisers.

Pet Valu in Yarmouth, raised more than $21,000 in June as a part of the company’s Pet Appreciation month.

According to a press release from Pet Valu, the total was the third most among more than 700 stories across the country. In total, the company raised a record-setting $2.6 million over the course of June, surpassing the previous record set in 2024 by $400,000. 

“We are deeply touched by the generosity of our devoted pet lovers who stepped up at a time when so many Canadian animal rescues, shelters and charities need essential funds and products,” said Greg Ramier, CEO of Pet Valu. “We established Pet Appreciation Month in 2011 to provide much needed support for local animal organizations doing invaluable work to help pets in need in the communities in which we operate. We are very proud that Pet Appreciation Month is now the largest of Pet Valu’s Companions for Change™ annual initiatives and that this year’s donations exceeded all previous years.”

Yarmouth’s Pet Valu donated its money and supplies to Friends of Trap, Neuter, Release (TNR). The group’s Facebook page lists them as “a local group of caring individuals, located in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, who are trying to curb the reproduction of feral cats by spaying and neutering one cat at a time.”

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Celebrating 45 years of support for domestic violence survivors

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A fundraising campaign is underway to help those affected by domestic violence.

Crossroads for Women is aiming to raise $10,000 in July, honouring 10,000 survivors.

“Crossroads for Women is a domestic violence organization that supports survivors in Southeast New Brunswick. We are most known for our transition house, which has 41 beds, but we have many other programs that support people fleeing domestic violence, gender-based violence, and sexual violence. Okay. So you’ve come up with a goal here that you would like to see funds raised, I guess, for future years. Is that right? Correct. So since we were established in 1981, we have housed just over 10,000 women and children at our transition house,” Executive Director Renee Charron explained to our newsroom.

They’re asking the community for $45 donations to commemorate their 45th anniversary, to continue providing life-saving services to survivors in the future.

“The fact is that we are often full or sometimes have waitlists. The demand for our services is very high, and we continue growing as an organization and innovating as well, so that we can continue meeting demands,” Charron added.

She said a $45 donation can provide a child with all their meals for an entire week or help with bedding needed at a new apartment for some of these survivors.

The best place to donate is on the Crossroads for Women website.

Charron also issued a reminder to anyone in need, “Even though we are a very busy organization, should anyone need our services, we have a 24-7 crisis line, and we’re here to help.”

Library

Head of Pictou-Antigonish libraries says new fundraiser is to ‘make ends meet’

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The chief librarian for Pictou-Antigonish Libraries (PARL) says their new fundraising campaign is to just make ends meet while branches are financially stretched thin.

Eric Stackhouse tells Acadia News they would like to see The Library Fund raise $300,000.

“This new fund has two goals,” explains Stackhouse. “One, to take care of the shortfall. Second, to begin building a long-term amount that can help even things out over the years.”

He says there are various things that contribute to the struggle to just keep afloat including salaries, book collections and staffing in addition to meeting the increasing expectations from the government and community.

“People want more libraries,” says Stackhouse. “We’re trying to do more on less and less and less money, and then the inflation that’s happening right now.”

‘I feel sadness’

Earlier this month Annapolis Valley Regional Libraries announced they were closing five branches due to a lack of extra funding from the province.

According to Stackhouse, the situation was avoidable.

“All I feel is sadness any time a public library service is lost or reduced, especially in rural areas,” says Stackhouse.

Earlier this year, PARL flagged the urgency of a lack of money when the province did not change the funding formula for libraries, which has not changed in at least a few years.

“The government knew because of the 2024 funding formula research that status quo core funding was not an option. They did not act on that recommendation,” says Stackhouse.

PARL launched a public awareness campaign in December that saw thousands of constituents write letters and emails to the provincial representatives explaining the importance of libraries.

However, since, PARL has had to make some cuts.

“We’ve eliminated 1.5 positions. Some through attrition, some through layoffs. And we’ve closed two branches in New Glasgow and Antigonish on Sundays,” says Stackhouse.

He says he hopes the government will fix the issue, but in the meantime, they are reaching out to library users and organizations that support library service and asking for help.

“We want to get on with our jobs.”

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McHappy Day aims to buy medical equipment for local hospital

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Mark your calendar for McDonald’s McHappy Day on Wednesday.

On that day, you can contribute to the cause by purchasing any food items and branded merchandise or making a donation.

Independent franchisee Wayne Kennerknecht says the greatest feeling you could ever have is helping critically sick and injured children, like his own son.

He shares with us that proceeds from the Port Hawkesbury and Antigonish locations will go to St. Martha’s Regional Hospital to help make care local, so patients don’t have to travel to Halifax or Sydney.

“We are buying vital equipment to keep patients from having to travel to other parts of the province in order to get their care taken up. The more that we can do in St. Martha’s, the better it’s going to be,” Kennerknecht states.

He’s set the goal to raise $18,000 towards a bilirubin monitor to help diagnose and manage jaundice for newborn babies.

“I just hope that we get as many people as possible coming into Port Hawkesbury and Antigonish and support that regional hospital and our goal again is to buy specialized equipment that the government will not sponsor that can save lives,” Kennerknecht expressed.

He says McHappy Day is a great cause, and you just never know, someday you might be the one that’s using that medical equipment that they’re purchasing.

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Capitol Theatre friends, staff roasting Rayworth, raising funds for grand piano

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A departing gift of sorts for Kim Rayworth of the Capitol Theatre.

The Managing Director will retire in 2026, and the staff have decided to roast Rayworth to raise funds for a new grand piano.

“It is getting very old. To be a truly state-of-the-art performing arts centre that attracts really incredible national touring artists, we need to have a really high-quality instrument. So we’re asking people to donate to our piano fund. In exchange for that donation, you get to come to a really fun party where you’ll probably get to see me for one of the last times in Moncton because I probably won’t be able to show my face again after the roast,” Rayworth joked.

Five funny individuals, who know Rayworth well, have been invited to the roast. Drag sensation Rose Beef, Comedian Nikki Payne, Marshall “Lucien” Button, Instagram juggernaut Colleen Landry, and George Belliveau of Salebarbes fame.

The roast will be held on April 16.

“They are all hilarious, and they have been unchained and told they can say and do anything they want at my expense. So we’re really grateful to them for donating their time and for being part of the evening,” Rayworth added.

Tickets are $100 each, with a tax receipt for $75 of that. If you’re unable to attend, but still want to donate to the grand piano fund, you can do so through the Capitol Theatre website.

Cive_Lucas_Bad Word For Good Cause_Comedy Show

Comedy fundraiser supports local outreach efforts

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A Saint John comedy-and-music night is raising money for people who rely on local outreach services.

Organizer Cive Lucas has been running charity comedy shows since late 2023 under the name “Bad Words for a Good Cause”.

Lucas said the idea began after seeing how many small charities depend on community donations to continue their work.

“The whole point of these shows is … money in the pocket of a charity where it’s going right to the cause,” Lucas said.

He explained that he covers the production costs himself, so the charities receive funds even when turnout is low.

Lucas said he lives on Waterloo Street, where he sees many people facing hardship.

He said groups such as Street Team SJ, Operation Feed and Forward House do important work but do not always have the funding they need.

The upcoming event will be the first time Lucas adds live music to the show.

He said local musician Darren Robertson was invited because he regularly performs at charity events and helps raise money for community groups.

Lucas said he hopes the fundraiser encourages more performers to support local causes.

“I just want to help people and make people laugh,” he said.

Lucas said the shows have raised about $5,500 since November 2023 through ticket sales, donations and venue contributions.

He added that some events have sold out, and in one case, an audience member matched the full amount raised from ticket sales.

Bad Words for Street Team SJ takes place on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Wasted Day Brewing on Water Street.

Tickets are available through Jump Comedy, and Lucas said five dollars from each ticket goes directly to Street Team SJ.

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Community steps up after fire at St. George food bank

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A fire at Granite Court has left the St. George and Area Food Bank without most of its supplies, forcing the group into a temporary space.

Food bank president Tony Munn said the fire caused heavy water and smoke damage and destroyed nearly all of their dry goods.

He estimated the loss of food at $50,000 to $75,000, with total damage expected to exceed $100,000 once the cost of equipment is included.

“We were able to save some of the meat because we got a couple of freezers out quite quickly,” Munn said.

“But as far as all dry goods, it’s all gone.”

The food bank reopened on Monday morning from the lower level of the St. George Masonic Hall.

Munn said the Independent grocery store supplied enough food to serve clients on opening day, and donations from residents have been arriving steadily since.

Munn said the biggest challenge now is finding a permanent location.

The food bank serves 300 to 400 clients and also runs 17 to 18 programs, including cooking classes, gardening programs and tax‑filing support.

Those programs are on hold until a long‑term space is secured.

“Passing out food is only one part of what we do,” Munn said.

“The other programs are on hold until we can get a permanent location.”

An emergency food drive is planned for Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the St. George Masonic Hall.

A live broadcast from 98.1 Charlotte FM will be part of the event, with hosts Mark Downey and Cory Morrow on site to accept food and cash donations.

The food bank will continue accepting donations at the Masonic Hall throughout the week.

Monetary donations can also be sent by e‑transfer to Lthsekpr@nb.sympatico.ca.

Updates are also being posted on the St. George and Area Food Bank’s Facebook page.

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Lakehead University’s campus pub hosts sneak peek of burger battle

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A sneak preview of the Ultimate Burger Battle takes place Wednesday evening.

The month-long campaign brings Thunder Bay’s best eateries together in competition to concoct unique burgers with proceeds going to the United Way.

The campaign runs throughout the month of November when the winners — including People’s Choice, and Most Ultimate Burgers Sold — will be announced.

“This year’s event promises big flavour, and even bigger impact,” United Way Thunder Bay CEO Albert Brulé previously stated. “Every dollar raised during the Ultimate Burger Battle goes towards supporting food programs right here in Thunder Bay and across our region.”

Wednesday’s preview is set to take place at Lakehead University’s The Outpost with the doors opening at 5:45 p.m.

Opening remarks will begin at 6:15 p.m. with attendees allowed to begin a “tour of tastings” at 6:30 p.m.

Previously known as Novemburger, the event featured 40 participating restaurants from Northwestern Ontario and raised more than $131,000 for the United Way in 2024.