With gifts wrapped beneath the tree, cozy new clothes and a pantry full of food, the holiday season will be a bit more joyous for 18 local families, including a total of 44 children. 

Staff from the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment formed an Adopt a Family Team to raise funds for the program which is organized by the Centre for Northern Families. 

Funds were raised over the last two months through two breakfast events, a soup lunch, pizza lunch, a raffle, a silent auction, and Grey Cup fundraising squares. In addition to the $7,500 raised, department staff also provided gift donations.

Click here to learn more about the Centre for Northern Families.

A special thank you to the following individuals and organizations for their donations: Premier Bob McLeod, Minister Wally Schumann, MLA Cory Vanthuyne, ITI Deputy Minister Tom Jensen, ITI ADM Deb Archibald, Boston Pizza, Samantha Stuart Photography, Beck’s Kennels, Merle Norman, Territorial Beverages, Javaroma, A&W, the Northern Aboriginal Business Association, Twist & Shout, Robbie Craig, Sutherland’s Drugs Ltd, Amber Henry, Diamond Nails, the Luscious Life, Old Town Paddle, Aurora Heat, Cathleen Knotch, Carla Wallis, and  Lorraine Gagnon. Thank you also to the staff at ITI, ENR, HSS System Transformation and the Housing Corporation for supporting the numerous fundraisers.  

Thanks also to the ITI Adopt a Family Team: Dianna Beck, Mohammad Bhuiyan, Tina Bohnet, Mike Byrne, Jeff Corey, Nick Dennahower, Brad Enge, Karlene Gordon, Amanda Gillander, Tejas Kashyap, Andras Lukacs, Julie Mujcin, Angela Norris, Rhona Stanislaus, Pamela Strand, Kristi Swihart, Katherine Villeneuve, Debbie Welsh, Briony Wright and Richard Zieba.

Wishing everyone a safe, joyous and charitable holiday season!