Annual RCMP drive helps make holidays brighter
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Rankin Inlet (Nov 15/00) - No one likes to see a family go without during the holidays.
With the Christmas season fast approaching, the Rankin Inlet detachment of the RCMP is launching its annual Christmas Hamper drive to reach as many needy families as it can -- and the RCMP are asking for the community's help.
Sgt. Tom Kasdorf says the detachment is trying to get the community more involved with its efforts.
To do that, he's asking local individuals, businesses, organizations and government agencies to step forward, sponsor a family and put a Christmas Hamper together.
"We're trying to issue a challenge to the community, rather than just collecting donations," says Kasdorf.
"This approach is a time saver for us and it gets the community more involved."
There are 29 hampers needed in Rankin Inlet and the detachment also sends gifts to Whale Cove and Chesterfield Inlet.
The RCMP have purchased Rubbermaid containers for sponsors to put their non-perishable food items and toys in.
Once a sponsor has been assigned a family, they can pick the container up at the detachment and return it once it's filled.
The RCMP are suggesting sponsors use items such as turkey or fish (char), a foil roasting pan, Stove Top Stuffing, tea, coffee and fresh or instant mashed potatoes.
Other suggestions include canned vegetables, juice for the children, canned fruit, canned cranberry sauce, candy canes and toys for the children.
The deadline for sponsors to drop off hampers is Dec. 19.
"The gifts we send out to the other communities will be distributed by social services or the hamlet.
"The annual drive is something we do on our own initiative.
"We're all new in Rankin and feel it's important everyone has as good a Christmas as possible and our members do their part for the community we serve."
