Community supporters, students and neighbours have joined forces to support the work of the Lighthouse by building a new fence to secure the Queen Street facility’s perimeter.
Lynn Thomas, development and communications manager with the Lighthouse, says the fence will not cost the organization a cent thanks to practical and financial help from community organizations and partners.
“This is a great way for the community to get involved,” she said.
The original plan for the facility located on Queen Street was to line the property with spruce trees. After consultation with the City of Orillia and OPP, it was decided that the trees would be a security risk as they would eventually eliminate a line of sight on the other side of the property.
“We wanted something that would be a security feature but also a wind barrier,” Thomas explained. “We wanted something that would keep our property neat but would allow us to see over it and through it to keep our participants safe.”
The fence was slated to cost the Lighthouse more than $30,000. Its construction was a requirement of the city as part of approval processes.
Orillia Home Hardware stepped up to provide lumber at cost, Hydro One provided a $10,000 grant and staff from Michael Scott Landscaping will be digging the holes for the fence posts.
Students in the Grade 12 specialist high-skills major class at Patrick Fogarty Catholic Secondary School (PF) built the fence, and the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board donated $3,000 toward the project.
“It’s an all-around great collaboration to get this project done,” Thomas said. “This isn’t just a fence; it’s a community partnership and a collaboration of a whole lot of people who care about what we do here at the Lighthouse.”
Thomas says it is great seeing the community come together to meet the needs of people who are experiencing homelessness.
“When community partners, businesses, schools and other contributors come together, it means a lot to us,” she said. “We aren’t alone in what we do. The community wants to help. They want to be here for us, and they see and acknowledge the need for people who are struggling to find housing.”
Orillia Home Hardware co-owner Chris Locke says helping with the project was the store’s way of being a good neighbour.
“They are right across the road and in our own backyard,” he said. “When a neighbour needs a hand, you lend a hand. It’s a great project, it helps people out, and we are happy to be a part of it.”
PF principal Brian McKenzie says it’s important for the school to give back to the community.
“It’s a great way for us to teach the kids some of the things that are important to us as a Catholic school,” he said. “It’s important to be a contributor, a responsible citizen, and act in the best interest of the community.”
Grade 12 PF student Michael Krueger is one of the students who helped to construct the fence. He says he was excited to be part of the project.
“It’s nice that we built something that we will be able to drive by and see afterwards,” he said. “It’s nice that it’s something that will go into the community.”
Michael Scott Landscaping owner Michael Scott says it was important for him to be part of the initiative.
“We’ve been working in Orillia for 32 years,” he said. “It’s nice to contribute back.”
