The Lakefield United Church is currently undergoing a fundraising initiative to create a community comfort centre.
The comfort centre would be intended as a safe, warm place that people can go during extended power outages. Lori Neill, who is helping with the project, said that after the major ice storm that happened in April, the church saw the need for community assistance during major weather events and prolonged power outages as the church suffered two floods due to sump pump failure but also many community members were left without help.
“There were number of people in our community that were in need of assistance because of extended power outages. We began investigating how we could provide our community with more support during these increasingly more frequent weather events. We met with local municipal officials and spoke with community leaders which reinforced our understanding of the need for this community project. Our mission at Lakefield United, is in part, gathering community and offering compassion. This project along with our existing successful Community Table meal program are ways we can gather and support our local community.”
The plan is that the comfort centre would be located in the large newly renovated auditorium space at Lakefield United Church. Neill said that there, they will be able to make use of the kitchen facilities to offer light refreshments.
“We are currently in the fundraising stage and also developing operational procedures which will dictate when the centre would be open and how it will operate safely. Our vision is that the operation of this centre will rely on an organized group of local volunteers and organizations. It is a true community effort.”
The church has a goal of raising $75,000 for this project to purchase a generator for standby power, heat pumps for cooling, charging stations, and wifi.
Neill also said that several thousand dollars would be set aside in a separate fund as seed money for operations to go towards refreshments and supplies.
The Lakefield United Church has committed the first $25,000 for the comfort centre project and has a congregational fundraising effort started for a further $25,000. They are looking to the community’s support for the final $25,000.
They are hopeful the centre will be operational by early next year in 2026.
Donations to the project can be made to the Lakefield United Church and note Community Comfort Centre, through VISA, Master Card, Debit, Cheque, Cash or e-transfer to lkflduc@nexicom.net. Charitable receipts would be provided.
Anyone looking to get involved or help out can make a monetary donation, donation in kind (such as refreshments) or call the church at 705-652-3126 to sign up to volunteer at the centre.
