RANKIN INLET - Residents of Rankin Inlet can start putting themselves in position to win some great prizes this week, and help make their community a safer place at the same time.

Fire Chief Ambrose Karlik presents a cheque to Northern store manager Terry Kent for two ATVs being given away in the second annual Rankin Inlet Volunteer Fire Department fundraiser as volunteer firefighter David Lowe and Northern department manager Hans Arnold, from left, join in on the fun earlier this month. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

The Rankin Inlet Volunteer Fire Brigade begins its one major fundraiser of the year this week, as tickets go on sale for a giant raffle featuring top-of-the-line prizes.

There are a pair of grand prizes in this year's fundraiser, with two lucky winners driving away on a brand-new ATV.

The raffle draw will be held on Nunavut Day.

Fire Chief Ambrose Karlik said there will only be 2,000 tickets sold for the raffle.

He said in addition to the ATVs, the raffle has prizes of two return tickets courtesy of Calm Air, 45 gallons of gas donated by M&T Enterprises Ltd., $500 donated by the Kivalliq Inuit Association and another $500 donated by Nova Environment Services.

"We're the only fire department in the Kivalliq to hold a fundraiser to improve its operations," said Karlik.

"This raffle is very important because we use the money to buy new equipment and upgrade our current gear.

"We're very thankful to everyone who donates prizes to help us improve firefighting and ambulance services."

Every firefighter in the department is expected to help with the raffle.

Karlik said being able to upgrade the department's equipment is a win-win situation for both the volunteer firefighters and the community.

He said better equipment improves the personal safety of the firefighters, and their ability to save lives and protect property.

"Money will also be used to get badly needed supplies for our ambulance, and that also helps us protect the community better.

"We run out of ambulance supplies quickly when we get emergency calls or a medevac coming in.

"Our ambulance is getting busier as Rankin keeps growing and the hamlet can only afford so much.

"The community gave us strong support for our first fundraiser and, hopefully, we'll see that again this year."

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