BAKER LAKE
Students and staff members of Rachel Arngnammaktiq Elementary School and Jonah Amitnaaq Secondary School (JASS) came together in support of two great causes earlier this month.

Teachers Gary Kennedy, Cheryl Paterson, Jimmy Qaqqaq, Steve Paterson and Melanie Numsen, from left, were pied by students to raise additional contributions for the Terry Fox Run and Run for Diabetes events held in Baker Lake earlier this month. - photo courtesy of Rebecca Walker

The group took to the streets on Sept. 4 to support both the annual Terry Fox Run and the Run for Diabetes.

The schools each set a target amount of $1,000 to raise, and partnered with the Northern store in support of the diabetes run. A little more fun was added to the event when staff members from the two schools arranged to have a pie put to the face of certain staff members if the target goal was exceeded.

Jonah Amitnaaq physical education teacher Brad Mainse said the kindergarten to Grade 5 school raised $1,573.55, while JASS (grades six to 12) raised a total of $1,776.95.

He said a number of community members also came out to support the runs and a good time was had by all who participated.

"I've been here 12 of the past 14 years, and the school has been participating in this for decades," said Mainse. "Every year it's successful, thanks to the generosity of the people of Baker Lake and every year the kids have a great time."

Jonah Amitnaaq staff challenged their students to do pushups, with $1 being donated to the cause for every pushup completed. Both Peter's Expediting and Calm Air joined the Northern store in supported the event, which saw the kindergarten and Grade 1 kids travel about one km, while Grade 2 and up did a minimum of a five-kilometre walk or jog. Students in Grade 4 to Grade 12 were allowed to do the full distance out to the airport and back, which is about a 7.5-kilometre run.

Mainse said Mother Nature co-operated fully for this year's event.

He said the Northern store donated water, snacks and hotdogs for all participants.

"The Terry Fox Foundation does a good job of forwarding DVDs and other material, so the students here in Baker Lake are still totally aware of Terry Fox and why they do the run every year.

"We held a school assembly and had all the students watch a couple of short documentaries on Terry (Fox) together, and then we headed straight out to do the run.

"The kids are all familiar with Terry Fox and realize he was a pretty special person."