Every Wednesday evening for the month of March, the youth of Fort Liard and Nahanni Butte were invited to the Fort Liard Fire Hall to participate in acts of service for the "Help An Elder" program. "We started off a bit slow but as the word got out, more and more youth got involved in our Wednesday night events as well as with acts of service done independently" said RCMP Constable Mackenzie McGuffin.
Financial support for the crime prevention initiative was provided through the Community Justice and Policing Division of the Department of Justice (Government of the Northwest Territories).
A few of the good deeds done in both communities included shoveling stairs, ramps and roofs, chopping and stacking firewood, removing snow from an Elders home using a Bobcat, carrying groceries, house cleaning, and on the most impactful event of the month, delivering baked goods and tea in care packages to the nine-plex seniors residence and the homes of 57 Elders.
Cst. McGuffin led the program with Fire Chief Evy Wilson of Fort Liard Fire and Emergency Safety Services. Over the course of the month, 26 youth, 3 adults and 1 Elder performed 75 acts of service for Elders.
"Having all the youth come out to participate with the "Help An Elder" program" made them all feel so good for doing good deeds for the Elders in the community. We, as the Fire Department, especially enjoyed facilitating the involvement of our youth and being able to interact with Elders in the community ourselves too. I think the biggest highlight at the end of every Wednesday was the ride through town with all the Fire Trucks and RCMP Truck with the sirens and lights on." – Fire Chief Wilson
An Appreciation Gathering was held on March 31st for the youth who participated in the "Help An Elder" program throughout the month. COVID-safe food and drinks were shared and prizes donated by the General Store and the Northern Store were awarded. Linkyn Lauck took home the grand prize, having attended multiple fire practices and doing good deeds on his own.
After the Appreciation Gathering, the group headed out together one last time to clear the snow from the roof of a local Elder's home and the group took one last drive through town.