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Village Media Bulletin: June 2025 Update

All posts 02 Jul 2025

As summer kicks off, we are excited to share the latest updates and wins from the last month.

From new site launches to upcoming events, there is a lot to look forward to this summer.


Village moves 🌟

Text on a brick wall that reads "Welcome"

Our Village grew by 9 in June!

We welcomed the following new team members this month:

Village Media accounting clerk Shaden Jumao-as
Village Media assistant desk editor Connor Atkinson
NewmarketToday reporter Christina Chkarboul
Village Life assistant editor Chelsea Clarke
BayToday reporter Will Konken
NewmarketToday & AuroraToday community partner specialist Mike Cudmore
Sudbury.com outreach sales specialist Allison Hall
DundasToday reporter Reagan Spencer
Village Media client services coordinator Jill MacIsaac

Welcome, all!


Hello, Dundas! 👋

DundasToday.com

Community news, just for Dundas? You got it!

We are thrilled to announce our newest local news site will be launching in Dundas, Ontario in July.

DundasToday.com is set to be the go-to destination for trusted, relevant and timely local coverage for the Dundas community.

DundasToday proudly joins a growing network of trusted local news sites in the region, including its nearby sister sites FlamboroughToday and BurlingtonToday.

By joining this family of sites, DundasToday strengthens the local news ecosystem in the Hamilton region—ensuring that the unique voices, events and issues of Dundas are represented alongside its neighbouring communities.


Guelph’s best honoured at annual Community Builders Awards

Winners, sponsors and guests attended the fourth annual GuelphToday Community Builders Awards reception at Buon Gusto
Winners, sponsors and guests attended the fourth annual GuelphToday Community Builders Awards reception at Buon Gusto / Kyle Rodriguez

GuelphToday celebrated the winners of its fourth annual Community Builders Awards on June 2.

The event recognized a diverse group of honorees who are making a lasting impact on the community.

These annual awards showcase the breadth of community impact—from arts and health care to education and sustainability. They uniquely highlight both established local leaders and rising stars, reflecting Guelph’s commitment to fostering leadership at every level.

Congratulations to all of this year’s award winners! You can learn more about the incredible group of recipients here.


Oakville News delivers its first feel-good surprise 🫶

Charlene Luis surprises Maria Bell with an Oakville News Random Act of Kindness
Charlene Luis surprises Maria Bell with an Oakville News Random Act of Kindness

Our Random Acts of Kindness program continues to grow across the Village Media network, with new communities joining the initiative every year!

Now in 14 different cities in Ontario, the program proves that even the simplest acts—like lending a hand or delivering an unexpected surprise—can spark joy, strengthen community bonds and inspire a ripple effect of compassion across our cities and towns.

A big shout out to Charlene Luis who delivered her first Random Act of Kindness on behalf of the Oakville News team earlier this month.

Charlene surprised Maria Bell, a well-known and beloved presence in the Oakville community. Passionate about supporting those who cannot speak for themselves, she is behind several important community fundraisers including Dogs of Oakville, Lego for Wishes and, most recently, The Chihuahuas of Oakville Saturday Stroll.

Every week, Maria welcomes around 25 chihuahuas and their families for the Saturday Stroll, an adorable fundraiser supporting the Oakville and Milton Humane Society. It was at the weekly stroll that Maria got an unexpected surprise when she was given the first-ever Oakville News Random Act of Kindness! 💛


Spotted around the Village 🌎

On June 1, Sudbury.com journalists Heidi Ulrichsen and Jenny Lamothe were the guest speakers at the annual Girl Guides Award Recognition Ceremony, providing words of inspiration to youth at the event.
On June 1, Sudbury.com journalists Heidi Ulrichsen and Jenny Lamothe were the guest speakers at the annual Girl Guides Award Recognition Ceremony, providing words of inspiration to youth at the event.

CollingwoodToday and CollingwoodToday SPACES are well represented at the Collingwood Jazz & Blues live event series at The Station.
CollingwoodToday and CollingwoodToday SPACES are well represented at the Collingwood Jazz & Blues live event series at The Station.

TorontoToday is everywhere! Hundreds of posters have been placed in local businesses across the downtown core letting people know how to sign up for THE downtown newsletter

Hundreds of posters have been placed in local businesses across the downtown core letting people know how to sign up for THE downtown newsletter
TorontoToday is everywhere! Hundreds of posters have been placed in local businesses across the downtown core letting people know how to sign up for THE downtown newsletter


✨ Summer sponsorships are heating up! ✨

We sponsored 33 events and initiatives in June, including:

BarrieToday
Chamber Golf Tournament, Chamber AGM, Barrie Rubgy

CambridgeToday
Alzheimer Society Waterloo Wellington

CollingwoodToday
Paws for a Cause, Relay for Life Lady of the Bay Catholic School, Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts

EloraFergusToday
Alzheimer Society Waterloo Wellington

FlamboroughToday
Hellions Car Show

GuelphToday
The Good Games, Alzheimer Society Waterloo Wellington

NewmarketToday
CMHA york south simcoe-Pickelball Tournament, NEWMRKT Proud

NOTLLocal
Holistic Healing Fair

SooToday
Spring Fling Sault Ste. Marie, Festival of Beer, Help Us Can Hunger Food Drive, Queen Street Cruise, Community Strong Race Weekend, United Way Big Cup Scramble Golf Tournament, Grocer 4 Good Gala, Hope Air Day, A Night at Harvest Harvest Algoma, Skeeter Slam OCup #4

Sudbury.com
Pro X Wrestling, Valley East Days

TorontoToday
Buddies’ Queer Pride 2025, Kid2Kid Market, Toronto Waterfront Festival, Toronto Tattoo Festival, ICFF, Na-Me-Res Pow Wow, The Happenstancers

NewmarketToday, EloraFergusToday, AuroraToday, BradfordToday, GuelphToday, CambridgeToday, PelhamToday, NOTLLocal, ThoroldToday, BayToday, Sudbury.com
Benefit Charity Show

TorontoToday, NewmarketToday, AuroraToday, OakvilleNews, BarrieToday, NOTLLocal, Sudbury.com, SooToday, FlamboroughToday, BurlingtonToday
2025 Walk to End ALS


Pawesome Villager of the Month 🐾

Cindy, a blonde-brown chihuahua

Meet Cindy! 🐾

Cindy is 10 years old and has called Canada home since 2021 when she arrived here from Barbados. She is a shy gal, but as long as you are not an ice cream truck (or similarly loud vehicle) she will eventually come around to being friends ♥️

Proud pet parent: Kylee Garson


See you in July!