Paula Sturrey's Endowment Book of Life story may well be only half the story because she's only 31. She feels certain, however, that her commitment to the community will stand the test of time, and so asks "why put off till tomorrow what can be done today?"

Paula was born on February 17, 1985. She is the daughter of Marlene (Goldberg) and Sheldon Sturrey. Her maternal grandparents, Sarah (Hochman) and Sam Goldberg were most influential in her life because of two factors. One was their "open door policy" which allowed her a loving, safe and welcoming environment in which to grow and develop. The other was the fact that her Baba suffered with brain tumors and so young Paula was impacted by watching the struggles of ill health and hospital stays, but also observing the courage and determination it takes to deal with challenges.

One week in 1998 was pivotal in Paula's life. It was the week of her Bat Mitzvah. It was also the week her beloved Zaida passed away and, on the same day, Paula was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. She now began her own journey of ill health, hospital stays, and the strength needed to face each day. She credits her friends and her community for seeing her through this extraordinarily difficult time. They have become a mainstay in her life as she continues to struggle with the complexities of this disease.

Paula grew up at 670 Brock Street and attended Brock-Corydon School in the Hebrew immersion program. One of her teachers there encouraged her to go to Camp Massad which began an over decade long journey of, as she calls it, the "magic of Massad". As a child, she attended as a camper, as a teenager she worked as a staff member, and as an adult, she serves as an active board member. She loved the singing, the silly skits, the traditions and the camaraderie of camp life. So much so that she was often "camp sick" - yearning for camp when she was at home. She is a firm believer in children needing camp as part of their holistic development. Camp has the power, she says, to help kids become who they truly are, to discover their passions and their purpose, to learn about leadership and community; the power to change their lives.

Paula was part of the first graduating class to have never attended Joseph Wolinsky Collegiate and have only experienced The Gray Academy of Jewish Education. She loved her years at JWC/Gray Academy, enjoying the environment of a small school, the Hebrew language, student council whereby she served as President and the community culture inherent in the school. She is especially grateful to the teachers who generously facilitated her education through her times of serious illness. Between school years she had a variety of jobs at the Rady Jewish Community Centre which only increased her connection to, and love for, her community.

Paula attended the University of Manitoba and earned her Bachelor of Recreation Management and Community Development (B.R.M.C.D.) with a minor in Business. During that time she began working for Lululemon Athletica, further influencing her leadership skills, nourishing her entrepreneurial spirit, and connecting her with the fitness community; she eventually transferred with that company to Toronto. However, her heart was telling her there was something more. With her interest in health and wellness she came back to Winnipeg, went back to the University of Manitoba and, in 2013, graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing degree. Today she works in the Oncology Department at Health Sciences Centre, a unit where she says her nursing can be focused on the whole family, ensuring that the patient is supported and cared for. It is a career that brings together her love for nursing and her love for people.

And there is no doubt Paula has a love for people. Whether it's friends she grew up with or went to camp with, colleagues from university or work, neighbours, or people she has met doing yoga or playing mahjong, Paula enjoys building friendships and fostering community connections. She places a high value on quality friendships and says she is blessed to have many.

Paula grew up in a very strong and nurturing family environment, there was continuous support and encouragement to try any path she chose to take. Paula has one younger brother, Michael, whom she dubs her "wonderful rock". She adores him, saying he is creative, level-headed, patient, and "the most genuine, great person." She admires his entrepreneurial spirit; he is the owner of The Joint Head Shop. Entrepreneurism runs in Paula's family; her grandparents had an upholstery shop, and her parents have Collectibles Canada; she says that she feels lucky to have experienced being part of all the entrepreneurial endeavours whether it be brainstorming or physically working. When asked whether she has any entrepreneurial dreams, Paula says that she will stick to being the supportive team player for the entrepreneurs around her; though do not surprised if involvement in a seniors home arises.

Paula also has a dream for the community. She would love to see an end to the divisiveness between "Massadniks" and "BB Campers" and have the two camps amalgamate as one Jewish Camp of Winnipeg. She believes this would maximize the community's resources and build a stronger, more cohesive community in the future.

Grateful for the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba's long-time support of camperships, Paula's financial commitment through the Endowment Book of Life program is being allocated specifically for that purpose. Why? Because she has another dream - that every child who wants to is able to go to camp; that no child should ever be turned away. This is her passion, her belief that camp changes lives; she knows - it changed hers.

2016