November was a short month but a big one!
From new community projects to big wins and everything in between, there was no shortage of updates around the company.
Here’s a quick look at what we have been accomplishing over the past few weeks.👇
Village moves 🎊
A warm welcome to the following new team members who joined Village this month:
BarrieToday community partner specialist Jacklynn Tregunno
Village Life lifestyle editor & writer Zakiya Kassam
PelhamToday and ThoroldToday reporter Kris Dube
Welcome! 👏
A record-breaking year for our holiday auctions 🎁
Our Holiday Gift Card Auctions are officially underway and this year marks the most Village communities we have ever had participate!
Thanks to the incredible work of our sales teams, we secured more than $500,000 (!!) in gift cards for readers to bid on, with opening bids starting at just 50% of face value. Our annual auctions give readers an easy way to support local businesses by shopping local, while also racking up some phenomenal savings.
This initiative is truly a cross-company effort, delivering a significant revenue boost for Village. A huge thank you to all involved across sales, client services, design, accounting, marketing, platform, SPACES and project management for pulling off another successful year!
Barrie celebrates the best of the city with annual awards 🏆
The fourth annual BarrieToday Community Builders Awards gathered leaders from across the city to celebrate extraordinary changemakers at an inspiring awards reception.
This year’s list of winners includes passionate advocates, quiet helpers and kindness cultivators.
You can read more about this incredible bunch of innovators here.
Village continues conversations to spark change ✨
Village Media has officially introduced Community Conversations, marking an important milestone in our transition to becoming a Community Impact Organization.
In Sault Ste. Marie, a diverse group of residents will gather for a half-day conversation focused on the opioid crisis, with participation from key local leaders including Algoma Public Health’s Medical Officer of Health and CEO, Dr. Jennifer Loo, and CMHA Algoma CEO, Lisa Case.
In Sudbury, community representatives will take part in a two-day session exploring the issues that matter most locally, as identified by them. The session will provide an opportunity for participants to work together to identify practical priorities and recommendations that will be shared with local leaders.
In Flamborough, our advisory board has fully aligned with the Community Impact Protocol and has transitioned into a Community Conversation model. The group now includes a diverse panel of stakeholders and engaged community members who will collaborate on the major challenges facing their community.
Each of these conversations will produce thoughtful recommendations, which will be shared with local mayors and our newsroom teams will report on the findings and next steps.
A Closer Look with McGuinty
Former Premier Dalton McGuinty joined Frisco and Scott recently on Closer Look, our nightly current affairs podcast.
The author of a new book, McGuinty took part in a wide-ranging chat about leadership, inspiration and the political scandals that come and go.
Watch the full episode here.
Spotted around the Village 🌎
Daniel Coleman was spotted at the arena before the Real McCoys home opener in Dundas
The Sudbury.com team joined the local business community for the Holiday Helpers event at Wander Food & Wine restaurant on Durham Street in the heart of the city.
The Holiday Helpers event supported Sudbury.com's Random Acts of Kindness campaign, with attendees contributing gift cards for the program.
Sudbury.com publisher and the honorary colonel of the Irish Regiment of Canada, Abbas Homayed, dropped the puck at the Sudbury Wolves’ annual Remembrance Day game honouring local veterans | Jenny Lamothe
✨ Spotlight on sponsorships ✨
In November, we sponsored 33 initiatives in 15 communities 💛
AuroraToday
For Little Monkeys Charity, Women's Centre of York Region
BarrieToday
May Court Club Homes for the Holidays, Chamber - Santa Claus Parade
BayToday
Holistic Healing Fair
BradfordToday
A Bradford Christmas Guys' Night
CollingwoodToday
Holistic Healing Fair, Sound Investment Community Choir: Christmas Time, BBBS Grey Bruce and Simcoe
DundasToday
Flamborough Dundas Soccer Club
FlamboroughToday
SACHA 50th Anniversary Gala, Flamborough Santa Claus Parade, Flamborough Dundas Soccer Club
GuelphToday
Christmas Bazzar CWL, Let's Talk Science U of Guelph
HaltonHillsToday
Halton Hills Music Festival, 100 Men Who Care Halton Hills
MiltonToday
Santa at the Fairgrounds
NewmarketToday
For Little Monkeys Charity, Women's Centre of York Region,
Oakville News
Kerr Street Mission
SooToday
An Evening at Hogwarts fundraiser for SAHF, The Holy Walk, One Stop Christmas Show, StartUP Sault Ste. Marie FailFest, Big Brothers Big Sisters Big Santa Run, Ted Nolan x Darren Zack Tribute
Sudbury.com
Art Gallery, The Highwaymen at the Caruso Club
TorontoToday
Holistic Healing Fair, Trinity Bellwoods on Dundas BIA Apple Pie Contest Event, Nightwood Theatre, Famous People Players, Loreworks, Chinatown BIA, Cityplace Fort York BIA
Pawesome Villager of the month 🐾
Meet the very best girl, Daisy 🌼
Daisy is an almost three-year-old golden retriever whose favourite pastime is a tie between stealing socks and insisting on head scratches.
Proud pet parent: Jasmyn Rowley
Until December...
