SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - BHP Billiton surprised members of the Yellowknife Seniors Society with some gifts on June 13 while dropping in for Lunch with a Bunch.

"We enjoy doing Lunch with a Bunch," said Deana Twissell, spokesperson for BHP Billiton.

photo courtesy of BHP Billiton Seniors share Lunch with a Bunch with BHP Billiton at the Baker Centre on June 13. -

"Many of us are from here and we know these people. We look to them as peers and elders. It's great to give back."

She said BHP Billiton volunteers visit for the lunch event four times a year.

"We wanted to make the last one more fun," she said. "We decided to make it the Olympic Lunch with a Bunch."

The volunteers served the seniors Chinese food to go along with the Beijing Olympics theme.

BHP Billiton has donated gold, silver and bronze from its operations in Australia and Chile to be used to make the medals for the Beijing Olympics. At the Olympic-themed lunch, BHP donated a projector, a DVD player, a new screen, a plasma television and a Wii console to the Baker Centre.

"We made the purchases through Roy's Audiotronics," said Twissell. "They installed it in record time. We wanted it up and running for the actual event."

"This Wii game has opened up a whole new world," said Vivian Squires, executive director of the Baker Centre.

"I have a senior with very reduced mobility in her hands. Bowling was her main thing. She couldn't hold a ball. She can hold the wand of the Wii game and she can bowl. When you see the tears coming down those cheeks after years of not being able to do something, it is great.

"This is the most amazing thing I've seen yet."

The Yellowknife Senior Society relies on the support of their volunteers.

"We are blessed here with volunteers. We run the organization. I'm the only paid staff except for janitors," said Squires.