Repulse Bay (Mar 08/06) - The breakfast program at Tusarvik school in Repulse Bay will continue, thanks to a generous donation received from the local RCMP detachment.

Cpl. Mike Itwaru became aware of the peril that the breakfast program found itself in about four months ago.

Itwaru wrote a funding proposal in late November 2005 and submitted it to the Mounted Police Foundation in Ottawa.

The foundation has a pool of money available on an annual basis to support community-based projects that help youth development.

"We were happy to receive $8,000 from the foundation because the school's breakfast program was in jeopardy of being shut down due to a lack of available funding from its previous two sponsors," said Itwaru. "I hadn't done anything like this before, but I really wanted to help because it's such a great program."

Itwaru has two young boys, Ethan and Layne, attending Tusarvik and his wife Michelle works at the school as well.

He said knowing the value of the program to the community, he felt he had to try and help when he realized it was in danger of ending.

"I can't emphasize the importance of this program strongly enough.

"There are a number of kids who go to school every day because of that program.

"That meal first thing in the morning makes a world of difference for those kids, especially the younger ones.

"Not only is it a healthy start to their day, but their capacity for learning also increases when they have a full stomach and lots of energy."

The Mounted Police Foundation will accept funding proposals for the same program every year.

Itwaru said competition is tough, with submissions being received from detachments across the country, but the Repulse RCMP will keep trying to help the breakfast program. "Having been successful this time, we'll definitely look at making a submission on a yearly basis.

"We're not guaranteed to receive funding every year, but given the fact it's such a worthy initiative, hopefully it will be maintained."