Cara Loverock
Northern News Services
Published Friday, December 7, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Handyman Fred MacDonald has made himself extra handy this week with a $100 donation to the SideDoor youth centre for Christmas celebrations.

Fred MacDonald, left, hands a cheque for his donation of $100 to Gary Hubert, executive director of SideDoor Youth Centre. - Cara Loverock/NNSL photo

Now he's challenging others in the community to match or beat his contribution.

"It's good to let (the youth) know they're people out here who care for them," said MacDonald, owner of Fast Freddie's Handyman Service. "They're our future."

MacDonald has been involved in with a number of community organizations and charitable activities. He said he received the money he donated from an anonymous source in a Christmas card.

"They felt I would know what to do with (the money) and I felt this was the best option," said MacDonald.

Gary Hubert, executive director of SideDoor, has already matched the donation with his own $100.

"If companies want to donate gifts instead of money we'll gladly accept that too," said Hubert.

The money raised will go toward gifts for the junior program for kids ages 7 to 12, the senior program for kids ages 13 to 19, as well as homeless youth.

The centre is planning Christmas celebrations on Dec. 21 for approximately 150 high-risk and low-income youth. The kids will have dinner as well as a visit from Santa.

"A lot of kids would probably go without," said MacDonald, "It's the season and time to give."