As the year comes to a close, December gives us a chance to reflect on the stories we have told, the communities we have served and the work we have done together.
From breaking local news to everyday coverage that matters, this year was shaped by the dedication and care our teams bring to their work each day.
This month’s newsletter highlights some of the moments worth celebrating as well as a look ahead as we prepare for the new year. 🎉
Village moves ✨
Gabriella Bernardo joined us as a community engagement specialist with the Cares team.
Welcome, Gabriella! 👋
Ending the year with industry recognition 🏆
We are celebrating a major milestone after being named a finalist for 10 nominations at the Canadian Online Publishing Awards! The nominations span photojournalism, local news, columns, video content and feel-good storytelling, recognizing outstanding work from team members across multiple Village Media sites, including BarrieToday, BurlingtonToday, PelhamToday, TorontoToday, OrilliaMatters, MidlandToday, and SooToday.
The list of Village finalists includes:
Julie Slack, Kevin Lamb, Richard Hutton, Gabe Oatley, Nikki Cole, Dave Dawson, Andrew Philips, Jasmyn Rowley, Zaafina Naqvi, Elise Nelson, Zack Trunzo, Drew Armstrong
This national recognition highlights the quality and impact of our journalism and storytelling across the network. Congratulations to all the finalists on this well-deserved achievement and best of luck when the winners are announced at the live awards event in February.
New initiative inspires insightful conversations 🗣️
Building on Village Media’s Community Impact Protocol initiative, we coordinated several Community Conversations in December to bring residents, local leaders and subject-matter experts together for open, respectful discussions on issues that matter most in our communities.
Through live events and moderated dialogue, the series (which included Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury and Flamborough in the first wave) fostered civic engagement, informed conversation and deeper community connection.
Stay tuned for more Community Conversations to take place in the cities we serve in the new year.
💛 Village readers and partners rally to raise over $52,000 for local food banks
Our annual holiday Food Drive Match Initiatives have once again delivered an incredible show of community support across our footprint.
Together, our community partnership teams, along with local partners and loyal readers, raised $52,465 across 13 communities.
In addition to the monetary total, employees and community members donated 75 food bags and 90 gift cards to local food banks, stocking food bank shelves at their most demanding time of the year.
Great job, all! 👏
TimminsToday hits it out of the park with fun fundraiser ⚾
An impromptu fundraiser inspired by the Blue Jays’ playoff run has raised $31,700 for the oncology unit at Timmins and District Hospital.
The “He hit it all the way to Timmins” t-shirt campaign, led by TimminsToday in partnership with Tourism Timmins and Skoser Merch, gained national attention and far exceeded its original goal, with nearly 1,100 shirts sold across Canada. The funds will support the purchase of much-needed equipment to enhance comfort and care for local cancer patients.
12 Days of Christmas celebrates 13th season of giving 🎁
SooToday’s 12 Days of Christmas Random Acts of Kindness program once again spread holiday cheer throughout the Sault Ste. Marie community, highlighting acts of generosity, local giving and meaningful moments for 12 days leading up to Christmas.
This year’s surprises included heartwarming moments of generosity, with local sponsors stepping up to help families and individuals facing hardship, people facing difficult health struggles and inspiring community members who are making Sault Ste. Marie a better place. They even went so far as to step up to fix an entire home to make it livable again for a single mom battling cancer.
This unofficial kick-off to the holidays highlights the power of kindness by celebrating and supporting the people and organizations that make the Soo a caring place to call home.
Spotted around the Village 🌎
The Sault Ste. Marie staff celebrated the holidays at Up and Down Lounge with a new annual awards tradition: The Villagies!
✨ Spotlight on sponsorships ✨
In December, we sponsored community events in 10 cities 💛
AuroraToday
Aurora Cultural Centre
BarrieToday
Morey Made Dec Market, Angus Pop Up Christmas Market
CambridgeToday
Preston Figure Skating Club Gala
GuelphToday
One Thousand Trees, Lunchbox Cafe
MidlandToday
Brookside Music Association
NOTL Local, PelhamToday, ThoroldToday
Holiday Market Pumphouse
Oakville News
Kerr Street Mission
SooToday
Ted Nolan x Darren Zack Tribute
Sudbury.com
16th Annual International Day of Persons With Disabilities Gala
Pawesome Villager of the month 🐾
Meet Bear 😻
Bear is 14.5 years old, but don’t let his age fool you. When the zoomies kick in, he is quicker than lightning and he plays an excellent game of chase. His favourite things (other than food) are helping his humans with laundry and finding the afternoon sun spot to bask in.
Proud pet parent: Danielle Pitman
See you in 2026!
