Lynn Gates is an Orillia resident who continuously goes above and beyond to make everyone around her feel welcome and appreciated.
“She has one of the biggest hearts I’ve ever known in a person,” said Lisa Swyers, outreach supervisor at The Lighthouse and Gates’ colleague.
“She’s kind, compassionate and empathetic. She has that magic touch because she genuinely cares about others,” Swyers added.
Gates has been with The Lighthouse for just over a year, starting out as a student and then quickly moving up to an outreach supervisor, running the Orillia Overnight Warming Centre.
She recently accepted a new role as the youth services supervisor at The Lighthouse, where she runs the youth shelter, supporting vulnerable young people through a number of programs, including helping them get into school, find a job and become independent.
On top of this, Gates also provides kinship care for three young children, aged four, six and seven, giving them a safe and loving home.
OrilliaMatters was delighted to deliver a Random Act of Kindness surprise to Gates, acknowledging her efforts and letting her know that her hard work does not go unnoticed.
She was overcome with emotions when she saw our team show up with gifts at her workplace and realized she was the recipient of this surprise.
“I had no idea about this and I was not expecting anything at all. I walked out the front door and the whole OrilliaMatters team was there and I broke down crying — twice!” Gates shared.
“We were all very happy that she was the recipient of this Random Act of Kindness,” Swyers said. “It couldn't have gone to a better person.”
Thank you to our generous co-sponsor, Cavana Ridge in Orillia, for making this Random Act of Kindness possible.
Our nomination form is always open for nominating someone in the community who selflessly gives of themselves despite challenges or hardships, is positive in the face of adversity, or is just plain extraordinary and deserves a special surprise.
If you would like to support our Random Acts of Kindness program, please email [email protected].
OrilliaMatters is proud to make a difference in our community by highlighting extraordinary individuals and organizations with our Random Acts of Kindness, a foundational piece of our OrilliaMatters Cares program.
The OrilliaMatters Cares team's mission is to create meaningful change in Orillia - and inspire others to do the same.
