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Storming the city with good deeds
Christian group comes to Yellowknife to help out - free of charge

Daniel Campbell
Northern News Services
Published Friday, August 16, 2013

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Lyle Notice and his crew hail from across the globe, but they recently descended on Yellowknife to help where help is needed.

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Fernanda Solheiro paints the decks at the YWCA. She's originally from Brazil but came to Yellowknife from Edmonton on Monday to volunteer around the city with Stormco. - Daniel Campbell/NNSL photos

They call themselves Stormco, or Service To All Others Really Matters Company.

Notice said the group wants to encourage doing good within communities in Canada rather than young people going abroad.

They'll connect with community groups in need of a bit of help and provide whatever services they may require - painting, garbage removal or landscaping.

"We've got no limits, no walls, no boundaries and no limitations," Notice said.

On Wednesday, the members of Stormco "stormed" the YWCA, painting the concrete edge and the wooden decks - and they did it all for free.

"Our currency is people. We're providing the community with a service."

Notice said this is the group's first trip. He's from Toronto, but lives in Lacombe, Alta. His workers aren't from Yellowknife either - it's their first trip to the city.

"We wanted to go somewhere far from our comfort zones, yet within Canada. We heard Yellowknife could use some help."

They arrived Monday and expected to work through the week, ending their last project today, where they'll be helping the city repair and replace a footbridge behind the pool on McMahon Frame Lake Trail.

In addition to helping paint the YWCA, they'll be doing work at the Centre for Northern Families, the SPCA, taking garbage to the dump and even mowing lawns.

Notice said each of his volunteers paid $300 to come up to Yellowknife and work for free. They're sleeping on the floor of the Yellowknife Seventh-Day Adventist Church. The church also sponsors the group.

Brad Dahr, pastor at the Yellowknife Seventh-Day Adventist Church, said Stormco is trying to connect with groups in the city who could use help. While Notice rallied the troops, Dahr organized all the projects for the workers in the city.

Even though they're connected to the church, Notice said they're not here to preach.

"We're not opening our mouths," Notice said. "We're just trying to show the love of Jesus through service."

The Stormco group works from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or until the job gets done. Notice said they plan to return to Yellowknife for the next two years.

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