RANKIN INLET - Lorraine Gordon knows the dump isn't exactly the place to be on a warm summer afternoon in Rankin Inlet. She could be out on the land or sitting at home watching TV instead.

But for five and sometimes seven days a week, Gordon is at the dump collecting recyclables she can bring to the hamlet garage and cash in for change.

"I go almost every day when the garbage truck dumps garbage," she said. "It's not a pretty sight and it doesn't smell good, but I do wear gloves and protection."

Gordon said she takes the money she makes and donates it to a missionary project in Fiji called the Healing of the Land Team.

She said she has been collecting recyclables and donating the money for almost two months.

"I look for empty pop cans, empty water bottles and any kind of vodka and wine bottles and beer cans," she said. "I don't just collect a few - I try to get at least 20 to 30 boxes."

After she's done collecting, Gordon often drags her cargo home on a sled.

"Some people are generous enough to give me a ride from the dump to my house, but sometimes I have to drag a sled even though there's no snow," she said. "But it works my muscles."

She then counts each piece and keeps track of it on a chart that she gives to hamlet employees who pay her for the recyclable material.

"I come outside and I count it out so I don't have to stand in line at the hamlet garage because they have to count it," she said. "I find it easier if I count it then give them the number, and then I can just cash the cheque and send it off."

Gordon said on July 21, she received the most money she has raised so far; $212 for 30 boxes worth of cans and bottles.

She said she does it because she feels blessed and wants to be able to give something to those less fortunate.

"We are blessed to have a government that's established in Nunavut and in Canada that other countries don't have," she said. "It's not always about taking, but giving too."