YELLOWKNIFE - Glenn Zelinksi, manager of community projects with Diavik Diamond Mines Inc., regularly meets for coffee and discussion with a few local men.

Wednesday, as he was preparing for the construction launch of Bailey House, a transition home for men, he met with Gordon Stewart of Braden Burry Expediting Ltd. for one of these regular coffee breaks.

Gordon Stewart (right) hands the keys to a Mercedes Benz over to Glenn Zelinski as a contribution to Bailey House. The vehicle will be auctioned off to help pay for an elevator in the house and items such as landscaping. - Laura Power/NNSL photo

The Bailey House project requires a great deal of fund raising to help cover the remaining costs for things such as an elevator, landscaping, appliances and furniture.

Several local corporations have been generously donating to the cause, but Zelinski was not expecting the contribution made by Stewart Wednesday morning.

"He said I think you should buy my Mercedes Benz, and I said well Gord, driving in this morning I was listening to my horoscope on the radio and my horoscope said you shouldn't do any financial transactions today," said Zelinski.

"He said well Glen... would your horoscope let you accept it as a gift to the Bailey house?"

About two minutes later, the pair drove to Stewart's house to pick up the vehicle - a 2001 Mercedes Benz with a re-sale value estimated at $22,000, which Zelinski said will be auctioned off as part of the fundraising.

Stewart and his wife, Bernadette Stewart, were more than happy to join the community in supporting the Bailey House project.

"I just really appreciate the work that Diavik and Glenn and the community are doing on the Bailey House," he said.

"I think it's important that some of the individuals in town get behind the project because it really is important, and I think it's a great project, and I'm glad to be able to help out a little bit."

Zelinski, appreciative of the gesture, marvelled all day about the incident.

"It's a pretty unique story," he said. "I think it's a good way to kick this project off."