At 10 a.m. Saturday morning, the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre was brimming with games, books and stuffed animals.
By 3 p.m. the room was nearly empty.
Michael Fatt has been collecting bottles and cans since October. HeSA国际影视传媒檚 spent the last week filling shopping carts with toys bought from the $6,000 of proceeds.
photo courtesy of Jemma Rivera
SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 just happy to see it go,SA国际影视传媒� Fatt said of the toys.
Throughout Saturday, Yellowknifers streamed through Tom Eagle Hall to choose from hundreds of options to provide Christmas gifts for loved ones, expressing their gratitude all the while.
ItSA国际影视传媒檚 SA国际影视传媒渟atisfying,SA国际影视传媒� Fatt said, SA国际影视传媒渒nowing itSA国际影视传媒檚 going to reach a kid that really needs it.SA国际影视传媒�
Noeline Villebrun, a volunteer gift wrapper at the event, said the Christmas toy drive is SA国际影视传媒渋n the Dene spirit of giving.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 our traditional value of helping, giving and kindness. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e just following our values and our teachings,SA国际影视传媒� she said.
Villebrun also noted there is more SA国际影视传媒渄ignity and prideSA国际影视传媒� in getting to choose a gift rather than having to accept whatSA国际影视传媒檚 given to you.
The event was put on in association with (CIB) SA国际影视传媒� a group dedicated to supporting former criminals transition to a better life.
Jay Holt started the Yellowknife chapter in early 2019. He said itSA国际影视传媒檚 been a slow build since then but that the group wants to attract the right people. So far Holt and Fatt are two thirds of the brotherhood along with Roger Kunuk, who earned his membership patches Saturday.
CIB aims to guide their members through connecting with the community. While some may find the name to be controversial, Holt said itSA国际影视传媒檚 a way of SA国际影视传媒渢aking something negative and trying to make it more of a positive.SA国际影视传媒�
Holt points to FattSA国际影视传媒檚 bottle drive as a good example of what itSA国际影视传媒檚 like to become a member.
SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e just a group trying to do better for ourselves and our community,SA国际影视传媒� Fatt said.
By the end of the day on Saturday, only one table of toys was left. They remaining toys will be flown, free of charge, to Whati, Lutselk'e, Fort Rae, and Edzo and distributed to those in need.
photo courtesy of Jemma Rivera.
Holt and Fatt agree the event has been such a success in its first year that they plan on bringing it back again for the 2021 holiday season.
In the meantime, FattSA国际影视传媒檚 account for the bottle depot will remain open for anyone who wishes to continue donating. Holt explains the money raised will continue to go back into the community for events like SA国际影视传媒淔eed the PeopleSA国际影视传媒� meal programs.
SA国际影视传媒淚 want to thank Yellowknife for giving,SA国际影视传媒� Fatt said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 obviously a very nice thing that kids who donSA国际影视传媒檛 normally get gifts will get them.SA国际影视传媒�
