There were mothers with young babies and seniors without the capacity to charge medical equipment among those without hydro in the village of Lakefield following the aftermath of the ice storm that ravaged the area in late March and early April this past winter.
It’s people like these who were especially vulnerable, but there were also many other community members in Lakefield and areas north in need of water and without power, some for several days, church member Lori Neill shared with kawarthaNOW.
That’s just one reason Lakefield United Church is launching a $27,500 community fundraising campaign to establish a new “community comfort centre.”
Neill said the reason for the comfort centre stemmed directly from a community need.
“There were a lot of people who were helped (at the church) during that time who didn’t have power and a lot of people out here are on wells and didn’t have clean water,” Neill said.
“Then the church basement flooded twice because our sump pump failed, which created the situation of (realizing) there’s no back-up generator for the church,” she noted. “There isn’t anything available in Lakefield to go where there’s power and whatever they might need during that time.”
Organizers are hoping to raise the money to create a safe and welcoming space designed to provide warmth, power, connection, and essential support during local emergencies.
According to a media release, the centre will be located at Lakefield United Church at 47 Regent Street in downtown Lakefield and will operate as a reliable daytime refuge during winter storms, heat waves, prolonged power outages, and other disaster events.
The congregation of Lakefield United Church has demonstrated its commitment by pledging the first $25,000 and a further $22,500 of congregational fundraising toward the overall $75,000 project cost. With $27,500 left to raise, the church is inviting residents, businesses, and community partners to help bring the initiative to life.
“Recent extreme weather, including the ice storm really underscored the urgent need for a dependable, accessible comfort centre,” the release noted. “Families struggled to stay warm, seniors lacked a safe refuge, and many residents sought places to access drinking water and charge phones and medical devices.”
Since extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, “every contribution helps ensure that when the power goes out, our doors, and our hearts, stay open.”
Neill is hopeful they’ll raise the needed money in the coming weeks and be able to wrap up the community fundraiser early in the new year.
Once established, the centre will offer warm shelter in winter by providing a heated space with hot refreshments during storms and outages, a cool refuge in summer by providing a climate-controlled environment for vulnerable residents including seniors, power and connectivity (including charging stations for phones and medical devices), wi-fi access, clean water and essential supplies including comfort items for immediate needs, and caring volunteers “ready to offer support and connection.”
Money collected through the fundraiser will go towards installing an emergency back-up generator, making heating and cooling upgrades, creating accessible and comfortable gathering spaces, setting up charging stations, establishing internet connectivity, and stocking essential supplies.
Community members can make donations at various sponsorship levels, from “community champion” to “friend of the centre,” or make a contribution of any amount. Donations can be made by e-transfer to lkflduc@nexicom.net, by cheque payable to Lakefield United Church, and by VISA, Mastercard, or debit card.
In addition, those interested in sponsoring, volunteering at the centre, or contributing in-kind donations are encouraged to contact the church at 705-652-3126 or lkflduc@nexicom.net.
