CORAL HARBOUR - A number of people, organizations and companies stepped up to help Sakku School in Coral Harbour offer its students and community members a number of valuable programs this year.

Teacher Lisom Tam-Eveleigh helped co-ordinate the projects, including a diabetes awareness initiative and exercise regime.

Tam-Eveleigh said she believes very strongly that diabetes can be controlled, but people have to learn to make informed decisions.

"John Friess at Calm Air was kind enough to donate the freight to bring up exercise equipment, cooking supplies and equipment for our classes," said Tam-Eveleigh.

"The cooking classes proved very popular with the ladies of the community, and we had the use of the community hall for our weight-lifting equipment, treadmill and a Bowflex.

"We were also allowed to use Sakku School facilities for stretch bands, dumbbells, exercise balls and videos on yoga, dance and trouble areas."

The Department of Health and Social Services helped Sakku participate in the annual Drop the Pop program.

RCMP constables Kim Meleynuk and Brian Ward teamed up with Katudegvik Co-op manager Margie Wilcox and nurse-in-charge Lois Cartwright to judge the poster contest, and also took time to read to students in kindergarten to Grade 6.

Tam-Eveleigh also co-ordinated an I Love to Read program which wrapped up this past month.

She said Sharon Pomeroy's Grade 4 students set the benchmark in the program, reading 151 books.

"This would not have been possible without the kind efforts of the Women's Canadian Club of Winnipeg," said Tam-Eveleigh.

"They got the boxes of book donations together and Calm Air got them to our school through the assistance of Nunavut regional manager Karen Yip.

"We've also received a $10,000 grant from Sport Nunavut (sport and recreation division of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth), which will be used to hold a daily activity program for students in kindergarten to Grade 12.

"Our school would not have been able to stay within its budget for the program without Kivalliq Air's generous support in donating the freight to get 85 per cent of the items to Coral."

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