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RANKIN INLET - A group of students from Leo Ussak elementary school in Rankin Inlet spread a little early Christmas cheer in their hamlet this past week.

The students sang Christmas carols to a number of elders in the community as well as at numerous business establishments.

Elementary students have a last-minute practice before heading out to sing Christmas carols in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

School co-principal Tyrone Power said the idea of having the elementary students go out carolling was something that popped into his head this past month.

He said he thought, at the time, it would be nice to get the kids out and about in the community singing to some of the elders.

"As I thought about it a little more, I figured this would also be a good thing to jump on board the RCMP's Christmas Hamper project with," said Power.

"We sent out notices to businesses around town to let them know if they raised $50, or the equivalent in non-perishable food items, the kids would come to their place of business and sing Christmas carols for them.

"It was nice to help with the hamper drive, but more than anything, it was just a way to get the kids out in the community to spread a little early Christmas cheer.

"I was a little nervous at first because the kids only got to practise a couple of times because of the bad weather we had for a while, but they did an excellent job."

Students from Grade 1 to Grade 4 went around singing for about 90 minutes on both Dec. 10 and 11. Power said the response from the community was good.

He said the kids raised between $300 and $400 each of the two days, as well as a number of food items, to go towards the RCMP Christmas Hamper.

"We faxed our notice out to every business in town and also went on the local radio to announce the project.

"The kids had an absolute blast participating in this.

"They were belting out Christmas carols like you wouldn't believe.

"We had 16 kids take part the first day and 25 the second, and they were blasting out songs like Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree and I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus like there was no tomorrow."