Lakefield Herald Special Report

Medical Centre job “an amazing experience”

by Anita Locke

“This has been more than a job: it has been an amazing experience. I couldn’t ask for a better job.”

So says Jen Thurston, Project Coordinator for the Lakefield Primary Health Care Centre campaign.

Because of the tremendously positive experience she’s had working on the medical centre project, she has decided to pursue a graduate certificate in Fundraising and Volunteer Management at Humber College this Fall.

She said, “This job has touched my heart. Working with such incredibly dedicated volunteers, many of whom have full time jobs, astounds me. They are working so hard to make this dream (of a medical center) a reality.”

Working in the office, she has had the opportunity to meet many people and says, “I’ll be running errands from time to time, or walking down the street, and I run into so many people who have been a part of the campaign – donors, volunteers, supporters – and it’s been great to get to know so many amazing people. People have really rallied around this project and the community spirit is phenomenal.”

To date, the campaign office itself has raised over $355,700. Overall, the campaign total stands at about $2.5 million.

The campaign office is staffed by 17 regular volunteers.

She says she will “truly miss” Lakefield. She grew up in Barrie and came to this area to attend Trent University where she earned a degree in International Development Studies and Anthropology.

She adds, “This is such a great project, and I feel honoured that I have been able to be a part of it. I am going to cherish the memories of meeting such wonderful people and making so many great friends.”

Jen, who was hired last November to assist the campaign, will be completing her duties on Friday, August 22. Drop by the campaign office at the storefront of “In a Nuttshell”, Lakefield or call (705) 652-1915.

Just a reminder that the Lakefield Primary Health Care Centre campaign will be holding a book sale at the Lakefield Sidewalk Sale this Saturday (August 16).

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