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Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Rankin Inlet's John Tatty didn't know exactly how he could help victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on New York City, but he knew he had to do something.
 Bill Gawor, left, presents the painting he donated for the special New York City Relief project to winner Larry White. Everyone who made a donation to the fund at the Rankin Inlet branch of the CIBC was entered into the draw for the painting. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo |
Tatty has been carving as a hobby for the past few years.
He approached Stan Anderson, an account manager at the local branch of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, to see what he could do to help the New York victims.
The two started talking and an idea quickly took root.
Tatty agreed to donate a carving that the bank put up for bid in a silent auction.
Sharon Shultz made the winning bid of $450.
"I was surprised, but very happy, the carving raised that much money," says Tatty. "Everyone has to pitch in when something as terrible as this happens.
"If anything like that ever happened to us here, I think the Americans would do the same thing for us."
Anderson says once word spread on Tatty's efforts, Bill Gawor came forward to donate a painting to the fund.
Rather than put the painting up for auction like Tatty's muskox, the bank decided to raffle off the painting.
"We took the name of everyone who made a donation to the fund, whether they were able to donate $5 or $100," says Anderson. "All the names went into a hat and Larry White's name was drawn out as the winner."
The painting raffle raised $910, bringing the total amount of contributions to $1,360.
The money will be forwarded to the special New York City Relief project run by the Canadian Red Cross. Tatty says people should always come together to do whatever they can to help when tragedy strikes.
"Don't ask what you can do, just do what you can to help. Carving is something I can do, so, hopefully, my little part will result in somebody getting help who really needs it."
