Repulse Bay (Apr 21/04) - An old friend has stepped up to help the youth of Repulse Bay enjoy more quality recreational time.

Leonie Aissaoui has been teaching at Tusarvik school in Repulse for more than a decade.

Picking out their very own pair of skates was a big day for many students at Tusarvik school in Repulse Bay, thanks to the efforts of the Edmonton Lions Club and Calm Air. - photo courtesy of Leonie Aissaoui

During that time, she has worked hard to develop extracurricular programs to provide youth with positive, confidence-building activities away from school.

And, Aissaoui has seen a smile put on many a student's face during the past 10 years by the annual arrival of Christmas gifts from the Edmonton Lions Club.

This winter, Aissaoui spent time on the Internet looking for an organization that could donate ice skates to students in the community.

When she couldn't make a successful contact, she approached the Lions Club one more time to see if it could hook her up with a willing organization.

And, once again, the Lions came through for the Repulse kids -- big time.

"The club members took it upon themselves to gather us skates, jerseys and balls," says Aissaoui.

"There is still golf equipment to come and that's great because our students, along with other community members, like to play golf on the snow."

So far, Tusarvik has received 15 boxes of equipment from the Lions Club.

Calm Air helped the cause by flying the items to Repulse free of charge.

Aissaoui says every student in the school now has a pair of skates.

"We are still undecided as to whether we should let the children take the skates home, or keep them at the school so they'll always be available when we take our students skating."

First time on blades

Aissaoui says many students at Tusarvik school never learned how to skate because they could never afford to own their own skates.

Those who had no skates would come to the arena with the other students and play on the ice wearing their boots.

So, when the gifts arrived, many of the students experienced skating at the arena for the first time.

"The skates we received are in very good shape, and now our teachers are talking about starting skating clubs after school so the students can have ample opportunity to skate.

"We can't thank the Lions Club enough for all it's done for our students over the years."