Yellowknife (Dec 20/06) - Nearly 2,000 pounds of Salvation Army Christmas hampers bound for Fort Simpson and Fort Liard almost got stuck in Yellowknife.

Canadian Forces were originally supposed to deliver the items but had to back out at the last minute.

Cargo attendants David Cormier, left, and Charlie Pfister of First Air with part of the 1,700 pound shipment of Salvation Army hamper items. The airline agreed to ship the items to Fort Simpson free of charge. - Jason Unrau/NNSL photo

"They're the people who normally fly it but couldn't this year and that left us in a bind," said Salvation Army volunteer Craig Thomas. "But First Air agreed to take it to Simpson all gratis which is pretty nice."

Without the company's generosity, the Christmas goodies would have been stranded.

From Fort Simpson, Simpson Air will transport 700 pounds-worth of hampers to Fort Liard while the rest will remain in Simpson to be distributed in town.

At First Air's cargo bay, manager Troy Broman was busy dealing with the holiday rush.

"In my 12 years here I've never seen it this busy," he said.

The airline has been shipping 300,000 pounds of cargo each week.

"And turkeys and ham account for 25,000 pounds of that total," he said.

According to company spokesperson Kim Poulter, the airline has been busy with special shipments.

"We have been jam-packed with these things during the holiday season," said Poulter.

The airline has undertaken pet deliveries for the NWT SPCA, Operation Christmas Child and recently transported a load of guitars bound for Inuvik and Ulukhaktok.

"This is the time of year we help deliver a lot of things bound for different parts of the world," she said.

On top of their donated shipping, First Air has also donated $3,000 to each community it services for their holiday feasts.