The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Association of Realtors (PKAR) hosted its Annual Christmas Breakfast in December. The event highlights the past year’s fundraising efforts, and the passing of the gavel from 2014 president Ken Barrick to the new president, Dominic Cole.
PKAR members raised more than $30,000 for local charities during the past 16 months. The recipients were: Hospice Peterborough, $5,000; Food for Kids, $5,000; Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough, $8,168; and Kawartha Food Share, $9,605. At the breakfast, food donations were collected and $2,450 was raised for the Salvation Army’s Hamper Program as well as pyjamas for Sweet Dreams Children’s Charity.
Carolyn Mills created Sweet Dreams in 2011, when she retired as EO of PKAR. Sweet Dreams collects sleep wear for children ages six months to 18 years old who are in foster care or temporary housing. It is partnered with the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation and YWCA Cross Roads Shelter. At the end of 2013 a grand total of 868 pair of pyjamas had been collected and through donations and grants, $18,541 was raised to purchase sleepwear as well as socks, mitts and diapers for children in the community.