August brings both energy and reflection.
It’s a time to celebrate what we’ve accomplished so far this year while setting our sights on the busy months ahead.
In our latest Bulletin, you will find updates on heartwarming projects, a spotlight on employee accomplishments and a look at what’s coming this fall.
Village moves 🌟
Welcome to Renee Alkass, who joined us as a features writer with OrilliaMatters in August.
Village Media’s Cares Team surprises an entire Toronto community 💛
Residents of Toronto’s Blake-Boultbee neighbourhood were treated to a heartwarming surprise when Village Media’s Cares Team rolled in with a large-scale Random Act of Kindness.
Thanks to the generous support from sponsors Green for Life Environmental and Canadian Tire Jumpstart, and with the help of Toronto Community Housing, our team was able to distribute over 250 gifts to unsuspecting families and children at a neighbourhood BBQ.
Kids were thrilled to receive bikes, scooters, skateboards, rollerblades, backpacks, shoes and more! For many kids in attendance, it was their first bike or scooter and their excitement was evident when they took their new prized possession for its first ride.
A special thank you to the Village Media team whose on-site gift-giving coordination made this huge surprise possible: Zack Trunzo, Leah Johnson, Kasey Woods, Zaafina Naqvi and Daniel Ramos.
This initiative is part of the Cares Team’s ongoing Random Acts of Kindness program, which aims to build stronger, kinder communities through unexpected moments of joy. By sparking smiles and connection, these events continue to ripple positivity across our communities.
From the desk of our editor-in-chief
Making an impact: Turning the tide on Sault Ste. Marie’s opioid crisis
On the editorial front, our team at SooToday has launched Village Media’s inaugural Community Impact Protocol. Simply put, the protocol is our company's version of solutions journalism — a chance to focus our local reporters on the issues that matter most to the people in our communities.
The project began with a poll, asking readers in Sault Ste. Marie to identify the city’s most pressing issue. The majority chose “opioid addiction/mental health crisis”. From there, we convened a broad coalition of community stakeholders (advocates, health-care providers, first responders, city leaders, non-profit organizations and educators) for an honest conversation about the challenges we face and the opportunities that exist. Throughout that meeting, held last month at Village Media’s headquarters, we were inspired by the overwhelming turnout and impassioned discussion.
SooToday journalists are now digging deep into a series of weekly articles that will help bring clarity, context and compassion to our understanding of the opioid epidemic. How did we get here? Who is responsible for the flood of fentanyl that has poisoned so many? What strategies are working in other communities? Could they be implemented here?
Depending on the article, our mission will be to explain, educate, dispel myths, highlight success stories, and explore possible solutions. If we do this well, all of us — our news team and the community — will learn as we go. And maybe some people will be inspired enough to stand up and ask: “How can I help?”
You can read more about the project HERE and HERE.
Chris Dawson joins historic first class of Hockey North Hall of Fame inductees 🏒
The newly established Hockey North Hall of Fame recently announced its inaugural list of inductees, celebrating players, coaches, builders and storytellers who have shaped the game in our communities.
We’re proud to share that BayToday’s own Chris Dawson is among the first media inductees. Since joining BayToday in 2004, Chris has been a dedicated sports writer, covering the North Bay Battalion and the Powassan Voodoos, while also supporting local AAA hockey programs.
Congratulations, Chris! 🎊
Readers show local love with this year’s Reader Favourites 🫶
A big shout out to everyone who made this year’s Reader Favourites program possible.
Over the past four weeks, our communities came together to celebrate and recognize outstanding local businesses across hundreds of categories.
Come September, we will be announcing the 2025 Reader Favourites award winners, honouring the best of the best as chosen by our readers from hundreds of businesses across 17 communities.
We can’t wait to share the results and shine a spotlight on your hometown’s favourites!
Four in a row! Zaafina Naqvi continues to dominate the Village Media golf pool 🏆
Congratulations are in order for Zaafina, who just scored a fore-peat, winning the Village Media golf pool for the fourth straight year!
While the rest of us were stuck in the bunkers, Zaafina was cruising down the fairway, stacking up wins and birdies.🏌️♀️
Who’s ready to step up, avoid the hazards and finally break her winning streak? Or are we all just playing for second place at this point?
Spotted around the Village 🌎
✨ Spotlight on sponsorships ✨
In August, we sponsored 28 events & initiatives in 12 different communities 💛
BradfordToday
Retro Block Party
BurlingtonToday
Lakeside A la Carte, Lakeside Under the Stars, Vegfest, Rotary Ribfest
CollingwoodToday
Golf for Kids Sake BBBS Grey Bruce
NewmarketToday
Pickering Food Truck Festival
NOTLLocal
Art at the Pumphouse, Peach Festival
Oakville News
Kerr St. Mission, Oakville Children's Choir
PelhamToday
Art at the Pumphouse, Pelham Concert Series, Pelham Cares
SooToday / SPACES
Superior Staff It Cycling without Age golf tournament, DSSAB Game On, Westfest, Village of Hilton Beach Community Night, Vivid Arts Fest
StratfordToday
Benefit Show - Grand Evolution
Sudbury.com
Her Northern Voice SPG, Up Here Fest, Theatre Nouvel Ontario
TimminsToday
Rotary Ribfest, Boats, Bikes, Mics and Lights
TorontoToday
Toronto Food Truck Festival, Brampton Food Truck Festival, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Tapestry Opera
Pawesome Villager of the month 🐾
Meet Charlie! 😻
Some of Charlie’s favourite activities include swimming and kayaking
Proud pet parent: Allison Hall
See you in September!
