Cambay rallies community for hamper drive, holiday festivities

Cambridge Bay kicks off its Christmas celebrations during the afternoon of Dec. 10 with a radio telethon designed to raise money and collect goods for its annual holiday hamper distribution to families in need.

Music, singers, a silent auction and some surprises are in store during the telethon, according to hamlet recreation coordinator Fred Muise.

The telethon will run from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. on the local radio station CFBI 97.7.

Companies and individuals donating $50 or more in cash or merchandise will be entered in a draw to win a Canadian North return ticket to anywhere in the airline’s network.

The Ikalututiak Elks have already agreed to donate hams for the hampers, while Kitikmeot Foods has contributed char. Corn, peas, mashed potatoes, baking powder, flour, sugar, milk, teabags, bread, margarine, crackers, juice, canned fruit, cake mix and icing will also go into the hampers, which will be distributed Dec. 24 to about 70 families.

Then, on Dec. 17, Cambridge Bay heads straight into its Christmas fun, with a 5:00 p.m. community feast at Kullik Ilihakvik and a talent show at 6:30 p.m., featuring local musicians, comedians, traditional performers and other talented residents.

During the intermission, models of all ages will show off traditional clothing. Photos of the models will be then used for 2011 calendar that will be sold for $5.00 and raise money for the hamlet’s year-round recreation program.

Entrants in the fashion show will also compete for prizes in the youth, teens, adults and elders categories.

Teens can cap off the evening at a teen dance, also in the school, from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m..

Dec. 18 sees the community’s Christmas Parade start-up at 1:00 p.m. from the Luke Novoligak community hall— and Muise hopes to see Santa Claus join in and ride on one of the floats.

The parade is followed by the first-ever “Kris Kringle Poker Rally” at 2:00 p.m. All money from the game taken in will be given back as prizes.

Ten nights of back-to-back Christmas games at Kullik Ilihakvik, including three nights of team games— which see teams of all age groups competing together, are on the holiday recreation schedule, Muise said.

And there will also be movie nights.

On Dec. 20, everyone is invited to “skate with Santa” at the arena and then, Dec. 21 brings “youth day. The all-day extravaganza is planned for children five to 12 from 1:00 p.m. to 10 p.m., which will include tournaments and a bingo and prizes of Playstations, Nintendo WII’s and bicycles for the winners.

On Dec. 23, Santa Claus will meet local kids in person at the Elks Lodge from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m..

Muise is still looking for volunteers to help with these events— and, as an incentive to put in their names, volunteers will see their names added to a draw for a free First Air ticket.