A total of more than 4,000 masks to help in the ongoing battle against Covid-19 were donated to Jonah Amitnaaq Secondary School (JASS) and Rachel Arngnamakktiq Elementary School in Baker Lake on Dec. 1.
The masks were proudly delivered to the schools by local Baker company, Peter’s Expediting Ltd.
photo courtesy of Frank Tootoo
The donation of the made-in-Canada masks was made possible through the combined efforts of Peter's Expediting (which purchased and sourced 2,500 masks), the mask manufacturer itself, Oliberte, (which donated an additional 1,500 masks) and Agnico Eagle Mines (which delivered the masks from the south to Baker Lake).
The Baker donations followed a trend across the Kivalliq region – most notably in Arviat and Rankin Inlet – which has seen numerous companies, organizations and the hamlets themselves, step-up to generously donate and distribute goods and services to people in their communities to keep spirits high and offer a helping hand through the challenging times brought about by the pandemic.
Meadowbank Complex general manager Alexandre Cauchon said Agnico Eagle was quite happy to lend a hand to Peter’s Expediting Ltd. by getting the masks to Baker Lake.
“Agnico Eagle has the resources to help and, since these masks are for the children and youth of the community, we felt it was especially important to support them,” said Cauchon.
“After all, that’s what being a good neighbour is all about: helping each-other out.”
The management-and-employee team with Peter's Expediting Ltd. has a long history of working successfully with both the community and industry to develop solutions to challenges presented them, and to support education, training, development and well-being in Baker Lake.
Company president Peter Tapatai was equally happy to have Peter's Expediting be able to help the children and youth of his community stay safe, while continuing to keep Covid-19 at bay.
“We wanted to ensure we did our part to assist keeping our children safe in the schools, and in the community, during these challenging times,” said Tapatai.
Oliberte president Tal Dehtiar said everyone involved with the manufacturing company understands the unique challenges faced by Northerners during the current pandemic.
“We are here to support any community, whether it's a long-term-care community, a school, our own community or our friends in the North,” said Dehtiar.