Fort Simpson (Mar 07/03) - Although the people of Badger, Nfld., couldn't sit down to enjoy breakfast at the Fort Simpson recreation centre on Sunday morning, they will benefit from the proceeds.

Five members of Thomas Simpson school's student council and a few staff members volunteered to cater breakfast at the territorial darts tournament. They cooked pancakes and bacon and eggs. They prepared fruit and served bannock, buns and coffee. Then they cleaned up afterwards.

Vanessa Gerlock, president of the student council, was spurred to action after learning of the disaster that struck Badger. On Feb. 15, close to 1,200 residents were evacuated from the town due to flooding from three nearby rivers. The flood waters have since frozen and some community members won't be able to return to their badly damaged homes until the ice thaws in late spring or summer. Others have nothing left.

Gerlock said student council set a $1,000 goal but is on pace to exceed that.

Two of the Thomas Simpson school's home rooms donated their $250 in pizza party money. In addition, the Fort Simpson RCMP and Enbridge employees are asking their territorial counterparts to support the campaign.

A donations can also sat on the counter during Sunday's breakfast.

"We're not asking for any (donations), everyone just seems to want to give some money," Gerlock noted.

Sean Noah, principal of Avoca Collegiate in Badger, was reached Monday at Grenfell Intermediate school in nearby Grand Falls. That's where he is temporarily teaching, and where some of 72 Badger students have been relocated. The school in Badger has been hit fairly hard, he noted.

"We've been pumping the water out ever since it started. We had to drill holes (in the floor) to release pressure from the ice," he said, but added that it's possible Badger's school will re-open in spring.

He said the goodwill shown by Fort Simpson's student council will be remembered.

"We very much appreciate the concern they have for their fellow Canadians down here in Badger. We'll certainly pass along the thoughts that you guys have had for our students," said Noah. "Certainly a big thank you to them for thinking about us."