Naujaat students benefit from clothing donations
Tusarvik School principal holds yearly drives with mother's help in Nova Scotia
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Monday, March 28, 2016
NAUJAAT
A mother-and-daughter team are lending a helping hand to get a little extra warm clothing to students at Tusarvik School in Naujaat.
High school student Jonathan Ijjangiaq shows off a Cape Breton University sweater that was a little too small for him during a clothes drive at Tusarvik School in Naujaat this past week. - photo courtesy of Julia MacPherson |
Tusarvik vice-principal Julia MacPherson said when she first moved to Naujaat, she quickly realized how hard it can be for people to buy clothing due to cost, shipping and the lack of stores and assortment.
She said she decided to run clothing drives with her mother, Mary MacPherson, in her home province of Nova Scotia so she could help the students who needed more clothes, and others who would appreciate a little bit more variety in their wardrobe.
"It started out as just asking friends or family for any lightly-used clothes they could spare to be sent up to Naujaat," said Julia.
"So for the past four years, we've been collecting lightly-used clothes, sending them up through a contact at Air Canada and asking Calm Air to bring them up from Winnipeg.
"It's only for school children when I distribute the clothes, but I do let some of the parents and/or guardians select something after the students get their pick."
Julia said every year she and her mom will pack and send six to eight boxes of clothing.
She said they take the time to vacuum seal each of the bags they send in order to fit more clothes in each of the boxes.
"We've also sent up prom dresses for our graduation this coming August.
"The main types of garments are sweaters, and every student could use another sweater.
"Pants and jackets are always popular items, and there are always plenty of Tshirts, as well as some new socks, as well as winter outerwear such as hats, gloves, mittens and scarfs.
"We try to send one big shipment, or two small ones, if the airlines allow it."
Julia said there's always a buzz among the students in the school when distribution day arrives.
And she said the students tell them about how they appreciate every new item they receive.
"The event is always exciting," explained Julia.
"The students are used to it now, so some of them will ask me during the year if they can have a new jacket or sweater.
"Most of them are pretty excited when I come to the classroom and ask them to come down to the science lab to pick out some new 'used' clothing."
