Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Oct 29/01) - Mac Maidens is the Iqaluit Rotary Club's big wheel this year.

In his day job as Nunavut Power Corporation's Baffin regional supervisor, he tries to make sure the lights stay on. As president of the Iqaluit Rotary, he helps to brighten the lives of people in the community.

"The focus of the group is really the youth and elders of Iqaluit," says Maidens.

A Rotarian since 1993, Maidens has worked with the Nunavut Power Corporation and its predecessor for more than 30 years. He briefly came to Iqaluit in 1975, then returned for good three years later.

"I came up for a year, and ended up staying a little longer," he says with a chuckle.

A few years later, wife Carol entered the picture. They've been married for 20 years now.

Maidens leads a small but dedicated group of about 30 like-minded citizens who brunch together twice a year, and try to fulfil community needs.

Maidens ticks off a laundry list of programs for which they raise money, organizations like Scouts and Guides in Iqaluit, The DARE program, a free lunch program for students, along with literacy and music programs for young people. The Iqaluit Rotary also made improvements to a park in Apex and plays host to an elders dinner every February.

Then there's the vets. The club brings up a pair of veterinarians twice a year to ensure that people's pets get looked after.

The veterinarians are very popular with Iqalungmiut.

"It's amazing how many different pets people have," says Maidens. He adds that the various charitable activities of the Rotary spring from the club's philosophy of "service above self."

"I think this club exemplifies that philosophy."

Just the other week, Maidens and his merry band took over Iqaluit's curling rink to host the annual Kid's Carnival. More than 800 youngsters and their parents enjoyed an afternoon of fun and games in a tradition that goes back somewhere between 28 and 30 years.

Maidens says that while the carnival is "a lot of work, we have a lot of fun doing it."