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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The Yellowknife Association for Community Living is running a unique fundraiser this winter selling ice to Yellowknifers - and its succeeding.

"We thought it would be fun having the concept of selling ice to Yellowknifers in the winter as a fundraiser," said Maureen Miller, chair of the fundraising committee.

"We're selling ice candles as great Christmas gifts. You can put them outside, you don't have to pack them up, they'll dispose of themselves, and they're eco-friendly."

The star-shaped ice candles are made by clients with intellectually disabilities at the Abe Miller Building who come in for the centre's programming.

A number of services have been affected by recent budget cutbacks.

"It's about services. Providing services for which there is such a demand," said executive director Lynn Elkin.

"We have a couple of programs that in years past the government had us deliver for them and they fully funded it, now they're 20 per cent short on funding or more."

The centre services more than 100 clients and provides advocacy and support services to communities outside of Yellowknife as well.

The centre is looking to raise at least $5,000 and so far has managed to sell 200 candles, half of which were purchased by McKenna Funeral Home.

"Janice McKenna's going to be putting them at various different graves throughout the cemetery. It's a nice way to have something at the grave site for people, especially at wintertime because people aren't putting out flowers and it's kind of like a vigil," said Miller.

All the candles come with their own tea lights and are sold in sets of three, six, and 10.

"It's our new initiative. What we're really hoping is that it takes off and becomes an annual thing for us," said Miller, who vowed the organization will continue to make the ice candles as long as it's cold out.

"We're trying to push the angle of supporting a great cause. We're trying to get people with intellectual disabilities into the community and into real work situations with support and it costs money in order to do that ... We're lighting everybody's light with our candles."

The Yellowknife Association for Community Living is a non-profit organization that supports families, children, youth, and adults with intellectual disabilities so they are included and are able to contribute to community life in the city.

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