Rankin Inlet (Dec 22/04) - A group of students at Leo Ussak elementary school in Rankin Inlet put their money where their mouths were for a good cause this past month.

After a bit of discussion, they decided hot dogs were the way to go and organized two separate lunches with the help of the Northern and Co-op stores.

The Grade 3 and 4 classes were treated to a hot dog lunch the first day, while the Grade 1 and 2 classes gobbled down some dogs for the cause during a special lunch the following week.

"We had a discussion in class on what the fundraiser was for and where the money goes, but they're pretty young, so I'm not convinced most of them really understood what it was for," said Rempel.

"But they all did their part to support it and we raised $372.50 to donate to the Canadian Diabetes Society."

A number of students volunteered to help Rempel cook the hot dogs, while a few teachers pitched in to help supervise the two events.

Even a few parents took the time to come have a hot dog and aid a good cause.

Rempel says she really wanted to do something to help after learning the daughter of a close friend was diagnosed with diabetes this past year, while only in her early 20s.

"After she brought this to my attention, I talked to a few health-care workers up here and they were saying diabetes was almost at an epidemic level in the North.

"That really opened my eyes to the challenge we face up here in battling this disease."

Rempel says it's important for kids to learn the benefits of a healthy diet.

She said the topic was discussed in her class and, despite their relative youthfulness, a few students seemed quite interested in the information.

"In health, we're learning about caffeine in chocolate and pop and how it can be addictive.

"The kids here know about addiction, especially as it pertains to alcohol and drugs.

"Because they're aware of the terminology, it also makes them aware of what it could do to their bodies.

"So, when you approach it from that direction, prevention can make an impact on a number of them."