Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) proudly recognizes its long-serving staff members. At this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), CNH staff and contractors who have reached the milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and, for the first time in CNH’s history, 30 years of service and dedication to the neighbourhood house, were thanked by the Board of Directors.
It is safe to say that Lucinda Donaldson has impacted the Renfrew-Collingwood community with her popular gymnastics program since she started working at CNH in July 1999. That year, she transitioned from summer camps to afterschool classes in September. Now she teaches six classes per week, and runs gymnastics camps every summer.
She credits the CNH Recreation Coordinators throughout the years for giving her the opportunity to build her programs and she is thankful for the continued support.
Lucinda has always had great motivation and enthusiasm to grow her program and open new classes.
After 20 years, Collingwood has become an extension of her family. Lucinda has had the pleasure of teaching some fantastic children and worked with amazing people. Two of her current assistants were participants in gymnastics classes from an early age. Why has she stayed so long? She says, “I love the community that is Collingwood. The kids who walk in the door, and the ones who remain and the ones who come to visit me or come to talk to me on the street. That’s why I’ve stayed. Being in the gym is like being at home.”