Winter is already off to a bitter cold start in Aklavik, but the community's youngest residents are well equipped for the plunging temperatures thanks to a major donation effort spearheaded by local Const. Jason Emmons.
With the help of his wife Larissa, Emmons has now provided 120 high-quality winter jackets to youth in the community.
"Today (Friday), itSA国际影视传媒檚 -44 C out there," said Janine Johnson, the principal at the local Moose Kerr School, where the jackets were handed out. "ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 no place in this community to buy a winter jacket, so itSA国际影视传媒檚 kind of a big deal.
"TheySA国际影视传媒檙e good jackets. TheySA国际影视传媒檙e good quality."
The idea for a major jacket donation came to Emmons around this time last year, when he noticed that many children in the community of about 650 people didn't have adequate winter clothing. He and his wife then reached out to Columbia Sportswear and, with the assistance of Toys for Tots Canada, were able to procure 92 winter jackets for youth up to 12 years old.
After a significant transportation delay, the jackets finally arrived in the community in early October. Some of the children who had been promised jackets had grown out of the size they requested by that time, so Emmons and his wife requested another round of the garments, bringing the total up to 120. The last jackets to arrive were distributed through October and November.
The jackets will keep kids warm on their walks to school and when they're waiting for the school's new bus. They will also make it easier for students to participate in the school's cultural activities, many of which take place outside.
"We just got a school bus," said Johnson. "The kids are going to be out waiting for the school bus, and a lot of them still walk to school.
"This week as part of our cultural calendar the kids went out ice fishing," she added. "We had to insist that if they do that, they have the proper clothing SA国际影视传媒� proper jackets, proper snow pants and all that."
The jackets came in a variety of colours and looks, but overall, the students seem to be happy with their new gear, according to Johnson.
"We see them coming in every day wearing them," she said. "TheySA国际影视传媒檙e wearing them and they seem quite happy with them.
"The younger kids, a lot of their jackets were really bright colours, and different patterns. They liked that."
Parents also seemed to be "very pleased" with the donations, the principal added, citing a number of grateful comments on the school's Facebook page.
