INUVIK - While sitting at home in Waterloo, Ont., Peter Paumier saw a television program that would send him on a trip North to make a large donation.

Peter Paumier of Waterloo, Ont., was in town last week to donate some computers and tennis equipment to the youth of the region. The tennis equipment stayed with the youth centre while the computers were passed throughout the region. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

The show was produced by the Inuvialuit Communications Society and focused on the Inuvik Youth Centre.

"I saw that there was a need for computers at the youth centre," said Paumier.

"That was when I started finding computers to donate."

Paumier said it was during a visit to Yellowknife that he saw a need for youth stimulation.

"I saw some young kids just standing around, obviously bored with nothing to do," said Paumier.

When he returned home he saw the program on television.

"The show was partly about the Inuvik youth group, they said they needed computers and tennis racquets," said Paumier.

So he phoned the Inuvik Youth Centre for details.

"They asked for ten computers, then four more for the school, library and justice committee," he said.

Paumier said he got the computers from businesses in Waterloo and other businesses he knew of.

"Some of the places I went to didn't have a need for the computers, so I told them about my plan," explained Paumier.

Paumier said the challenge was finding computers for the donation he planned for the youth of the region.

"I took out ads in my local paper and people would call or just drop off computers they didn't need," said Paumier.

"One of the donations came from Goodrich tires. They closed down and gave me 14 computers."

The tennis equipment came from the Waterloo tennis club, which donated the gear for the youth.

After a few calls, Paumier said he got another donation by a transport company to haul the load to Edmonton, where it was picked up by Matco transportation and brough to Inuvik.

Ultimately, Paumier delivered 17 computers to Inuvik, but once they got there, the youth centre didn't need them any more. The computers were forwarded to other communities in need.

"Ten computers are being used in the Aklavik school and library," said Paumier.

Paumier said his visit to Inuvik was just to see how the delivery went.

"I'm just here following up on it," he said.

Paumier said the computers are important for the youth because it will assist their learning.

"The more access they have to the Internet, the more knowledge they can have," he said.

"Without that information, they're behind the eight ball."

Inuvik Youth Centre co-director Joanna Lehrer said the donation of the tennis equipment will help start a program this summer.

"We're talking with a possible coach to help teach the youth how to play tennis," said Lehrer. The donations were much appreciated."