The Lighthouse has provided an update:
Hope has been built! Since the Building Hope campaign announced it’s “Public campaign stage” in February 2019 with a goal to raise the last $3 million of the $14.5 million project, opening The New Lighthouse without a mortgage has been top priority of the fundraising team.
Our team is elated to announce that our goal has come to fruition! The Building Hope capital campaign is completed! As a faith-based organization, The Lighthouse team would like to give thanks to God for His provision in bringing the right people, the resources and the hope to keep reaching for our goal since 2016 when The Lighthouse Community Services was just a vision.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens”. The time for fundraising for our capital campaign is past, the time for serving the vulnerable population under the roof of 75 Queen St. E., Orillia has come!
“The Lighthouse COVID-19 response increased emergency shelter beds from 14 beds to We are full most nights. When the vision for our new facilities started, we knew the need was here. For men, women, and youth. Not only will our new facilities help thousands of vulnerable individuals, it will also provide much needed employment and volunteer opportunities in Orillia and area. The Lighthouse along with our community partners will continue to assist our participants physically, spiritually, and mentally with a variety of care to have them reach personal success with housing. This is an example of true community,” stated Linda Goodall, executive director.
With the help of the James A. Burton & Family Foundation’s 3:1 matching donation campaign that was announced recently on March 19, the community has come together to raise over $219,000 to date! With the Burton foundation’s contribution this brings our total to $876,000 that has been raised with their challenge to date.
Lynn Thomas, campaign manager was excited to share, “Our goal of this very generous 3:1 matching donation campaign by the James A. Burton & Family Foundation was to close the gap on the last $500,000 that was left to raise of our capital at the time of the announcement. It has been such a blessing to see how the community and extended community have come forward to take the Burton’s up on their offer to quadruple their gifts. This will be a legacy of the campaign. We cannot begin to express our gratitude to
Jim Burton and his family foundation for their support and generosity that has created such a buzz of excitement in our community. “
Further to the James A. Burton & Family Foundation’s generous 3:1 Capital donation campaign, the foundation wishes to extend the 3:1 campaign until April 30 so that every donor who wishes to make the most of their gift to The Lighthouse and Building Hope will be honoured. The additional funds raised will contribute to the enhanced capital and operational capabilities that exceed our $14.5 million campaign in our inaugural year of operation. All donations to take advantage of this generous offer can be made at orillialighthouse.ca and designated to Building Hope.
The Lighthouse will serve thousands of individuals annually and we will continue to need the help of the community to care for them. Becoming a monthly donor is a wonderful contribution to generating more wrap around care for those we shelter and guide on their road to wellness. You can set up a monthly donation of any amount, by going to our website and designated to “Area of Greatest Need”.
There are many people, organizations, businesses, committees, churches, service groups, government sources that need to be acknowledged for coming together to make
The Lighthouse Community Services a reality. We have stated all along that this is a community project, this is for Simcoe North, for all of those who come through our doors, oftentimes at the lowest point in their life. We would like to sincerely thank and acknowledge the Chair of each committee, our fundraising, service and delivery, finance, design, and public relations, the committee members, volunteers, staff members and the extended community and support system that have laboured to complete this goal.
“What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart, yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.” Ecclesiastes 3:9-12 We hope and trust you will continue to support The Lighthouse as we serve those in need, and “do good while we live”.
If you have contributed to the Building Hope campaign in any way, large or small, we thank you! Hope Started with YOU!
[…] The Lighthouse is a soup kitchen and shelter in Orillia that has been operating since 1992. The organization has partnered with the Simcoe County Paramedics for over a year and the paramedics will continue to serve Lighthouse participants through the clinic. Dr. Anna Naylor, who is the point person for the paramedics, will also be serving participants out of the clinic. […]