Current ads
Jobs
Tenders
Notices
General

Click below

How to help others in Iqaluit this Christmas

"So many people out there who are not as fortunate as us"

GREG YOUNGER-LEWIS

Fully dressed for the season, Claire Kennedy, owner of DJ's Sensations, helps fellow elf, Oleekie Etungat, and Dave "Santa" Anthony pack donated gifts for needy children in Iqaluit. (PHOTO BY GREG YOUNGER-LEWIS)

---

Santa and his elves are already busy in Iqaluit making sure the community's less fortunate enjoy Christmas this year.

But they still need your help.

A clutch of dedicated volunteers and businesses are hoping the Christmas spirit will inspire people to support the food bank, the soup kitchen, the shelters and needy children, among other charities.

Here's what you can do.

The hamper program
Iqaluit's Rotary Club continues to carry on the nourishing tradition started by the late Fred Coman, more than two decades ago.

The group plans to pack and deliver 200 food baskets to a pre-selected group welfare recipients, students, churches, families and newcomers on Dec. 18 at the Royal Canadian Legion Cadet Hall.

However, they're still waiting on the cash to pay for the food order, which includes turkeys, fruits, vegetables, tea, sugar and flour.

In order to cover costs, they need around $20,000 in donations.

And, they need some extra hands and vehicles for delivery, beginning 10 a.m. on packing day.

Susan Spring, president of the club, said she hopes they'll have the same success they had last year, when 35 kids, firefighters, and others came to pack and deliver.

"That was by far the greatest response," she said. "It's a gift from the community."

Cheque donations can be made out to the "Iqaluit Community Christmas Fund." They should be dropped off at Tittaq stationary store near the post office, or send to "Community Food Baskets" c/o P.O. Box 535, the Rotary Club of Iqaluit.

Goodwill business
Some local entrepreneurs are calling on Iqalungmiut to fill boxes with toys destined for less fortunate children in the community.

Claire Kennedy, owner of DJ's Sensations, said she started a toy drive because she wanted to "give back to the community."

"I think it's important that we continue to support the community that supports us," Kennedy said. "There's so many people out there who are not as fortunate as us."

Anyone interested in donating new toys can bring them down to them down to either DJ's Sensations or DJ's Specialties. If someone uses their gift-wrapping services for the toy drive, the store will use the money to buy extra food for the food bank.

The stores are also collecting non-perishable food for the food bank.

Become a Christmas angel
The Northmart store is also collecting toys for needy children.

Part of their goodwill efforts include the Angel Tree, standing prominently near the entrance.

Each angel on the tree represents a child who has been identified by the Department of Health and Social Services. A customer can take an angel off the tree and tell a staff member that they want to buy a toy for that child. Toys are available at a discount.

Extra help
Food bank volunteers will be at Northmart offering gift-wrapping services. Funds will go to buying food, but customers are also welcome to make food donations.

The food bank and soup kitchen are also looking to recruit new volunteers, especially with their anticipated move into a new home. They will need people with handy skills in wiring and carpentry, and possibly donations of a new fridge and freezer, in the new year.

What's Christmas without hockey?
The RCMP's program for children who can't afford hockey equipment or registration fees will kick off again in January.

But extra equipment and volunteers are always needed. To help the "Start Right Stay Right" program, call Cpl. Rick Comeau at 975-4452.

TOP

Advertising
Specs, rates,
& maps
Multi-paper
buying services
About the market
E-mail ad dept

More Information