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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Is the quickest way to someone's heart through the gas pump?

That was the idea last week, when six members of WestJet's care crew blew through Yellowknife giving away coffee, helping people pay to fill up their gas tanks, and performing random acts of kindness to spread the word about their arrival in the city.

WestJet's Care Crew was in Yellowknife last week, paying for portions of peoples' gas fill-ups and washing windows, to show the company wants to be part of the community. The crew, from left, Cheryl Leschasin-Drewniak, Adrian Sacco, Michelle Delaney, Jane Nikiforuk, Jennifer Clarke and Robert Kevis. - Herb Mathisen/NNSL photo

"It's part of our Caring Comes Home campaign," said Robert Kevis, care co-ordinator with WestJet, late Wednesday afternoon.

"Every year we've gone to different cities like Vancouver, Edmonton, Fort McMurray. In the east we've gone to Montreal, Ottawa, Halifax and just randomly in those bigger cities we've actually paid for peoples' bus fares, their parking, at the gas stations."

Kevis said the crew – in town from May 20 to 22 – was planning to help Yellowknifers with their groceries at Extra Foods, to provide coffee to construction workers at the St. Joseph school renovation site and even to cook dinner at the fire hall on Thursday.

"It's just our saying that we want to be part of the community," said Kevis.

The crew of six also had three "honorary" crew members originally from the city: Jane Nikiforuk, Michelle Delaney and Cheryl Leschasin-Drewniak.

"It feels good to be back in Yellowknife, especially with a company that I'm passionate about," said Leschasin-Drewniak, who left the city in 1998.

The three women, who work as flight attendants with the Calgary-based company, said they were invited on the trip North because of their fondness for the city.

"This is still home for all of us," said Nikiforuk, who grew up in Yellowknife and moved south in 2001.

While the crew was scheduled to stop at Tim Hortons and Extra Foods for giveaways, Delaney said they would also be frequenting some local, longtime Yellowknife staples.

"We know who's been here for the long haul," said Lechasin-Drewniak.

Delaney said with a laugh that they would be supporting local restaurants.

Gord Van Tighem met with the crew briefly on Wednesday afternoon, before they set out on their goodwill mission.

"They were leaving my office and going to pump gas for people and give them free gas," he said.

He said he valued Canadian North and First Air for all the work they do in the community, adding WestJet will provide the city with some new opportunities as well.

Fire Chief Albert Headrick said he understood the company does things like this in every new community it visits to promote itself.

"That's fine," he said, adding he was looking forward to the dinner the care crew was going to cook at the hall that evening.

"We're quite ecstatic about it," he said. "Wouldn't you be? People are going to cook your supper."

He added it would be welcome in the busy fire hall.

On Wednesday night, as commuters pulled up to the Gastown pumps, a care crew member asked if they were interested in having a portion of their fill-up paid.

Veronica Myles said she was blown away by the offer

She said a crew member asked her, "Can we pay for $10 of your gas?"

"Of course you can," she laughed. "Realistically, who's going to turn that down?"

Scott Lefrancois said he thought the act was a good way to promote the company.

"I imagine that's what they're trying to do. It's better than nothing, I guess."