CORAL HARBOUR - Residents of Coral Harbour did their part in joining the Kivalliq region to raise money in support of the people of Haiti this past month.

Organizers Simeon Dion, Casey Paniyuk and Paul Pudlat, from left, display some of the money raised for Haiti in Coral Harbour this past month. - photo courtesy of Noel Kaludjak

In fact, the community stepped up and raised a grand total of $6,000 for the ever-increasing Haiti earthquake relief efforts.

A pair of fundraising projects raised about $3,100 in the community, and the hamlet kicked in the rest to make it an even $6,000.

Coun. Simeon Dion sits on the hamlet's recreation committee, which asked hamlet council for permission to fundraise on behalf of the Haiti cause.

Dion said the council was fully supportive of the idea, so they quickly started planning an event. He said the support they received from the community was incredible.

"Not only did the hamlet agree with our idea, but council also stated it would match whatever amount we raised during our projects," said Dion. "We received some help on the committee from an individual from the community, and another group led by Paul Pudlat did some fundraising too."

The community held a giant penny sale in support of the Haiti cause, and Dion said it was one of the biggest penny sales he'd ever seen in Coral Harbour.

He said Kivalliq communities always seem to rise to the occasion when there's someone in need, no matter where they live in the world.

"We went on local radio looking for support and the whole community came together to answer the call. Without the community's help, we would never have been able to raise that much. A lot of people donated things to be sold at the penny sale, and a number of companies and the hamlet also donated items.

"The event was a huge success for us, as we raised more than $2,800 just from the penny sale alone."