Iqaluit man plans special Christmas treat for children in need

Michael Murphy of Iqaluit wants to donate 20 Christmas hampers each to Nakasuk and Joamie schools. (PHOTO COURTESY MICHAEL MURPHY)

When students at Nakasuk and Joamie elementary schools in Iqaluit leave for their winter break later this month, those in the greatest need will take home a special present — a Christmas dinner.

That’s if Iqaluit resident Michael Murphy’s plans unfold the way he wants them to — but he needs your help.

The Good Samaritan wants to donate 20 Christmas hampers to each of Iqaluit’s two elementary schools.

Murphy also wants to leave the schools with a healthy supply of breakfast items for the new year so students can begin their day with a full stomach.

“The kids are innocent, so lets get them some food and have a good holiday and when they come back they know that they’re going to have something for breakfast,” said Murphy, who spends his days working at a local Iqaluit office supply shop.

“It’s a struggle here and a lot of people down south don’t understand with the food pricing.”

As of Dec. 1, Murphy says he has raised about $1,300 for his food drive.

But he’s also invested about $1,500 of his own money into shipping and ordering food from the South.

“It’s a lot of work for me but to be able to have these hampers and go and deliver them… I just want to be able to give so they can get them out.”

The drive is being conducted through an event page Murphy hosts on Facebook, entitled “Nunavut Children Food Drive Supporting Joamie & Nakasuk Breakfast Programmes.”

All donations will be acknowledged on the events page. Murphy is also posting the receipts of all transactions: 100 per cent of all proceeds will go to the children, he said.

Murphy estimates that about $3,000 in donations will be enough to stock the 40 Christmas hampers and supply breakfast programs at the schools.

So far, support has been strong, with donations coming from some unlikely places.

For example, an employee of the Peel District School Board, west of Toronto, is holding a bake sale to raise money to send to Iqaluit.

“It’s incredible the response I’m getting from Ontario,” Murphy said.

The majority of donations to date have come from that province, he said.

To entice more substantial donations — especially from the South — Murphy has purchased earrings from a local artist to send to anyone who contributes $200 or more.

And for someone really feeling the Christmas sprit and ready to donate $800, Murphy says he will transfer 15,000 of his personal airline loyalty reward points, which could be used to book a trip north.

“I threw that out to people in Ontario… Get yourself to Ottawa, come up and see what life is like in the North,” Murphy said.

Donations will be welcome until Dec. 15, so there will be enough time to get the Christmas hampers ready for the students.

But Murphy still plans to accept donations for the breakfast program after that date.

To make a donation, you can contact Murphy at his email: mtm_consulting@hotmail.com.