Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I rise in the House to talk about a Secret Santa who gave some youth late Christmas gifts this past January in the Nahendeh and Deh Cho ridings.
Mr. Speaker, I can tell you I received a phone call from a friend to see if I would be interested in receiving two pallets of toys worth approximately $20,000 for some youth in the Nahendeh riding. Of course I said I would be interested. I did ask who donated these toys and was advised that, in true Santa fashion, they wanted to remain anonymous.
As the January 16th News North article stated, "Christmas came and went without the toys arriving in time." Because of the weather, the toys were delayed. When Grimshaw Trucking heard this, they took action, delivered the toys, and donated their time to get the toys to Yellowknife. With the help from Grimshaw and Summit Air, Santa was able to deliver the toys shortly after Christmas. With the toys sitting in Yellowknife, we had to find a way to get the toys to Fort Simpson. Thanks to PR Contracting, the toys made their way to Fort Simpson.
As the toys were on their way, I reached out to several people to see if they could distribute the toys once they arrived in Fort Simpson. I would like thanks to Naila Cazon, Troy Bellafontaine, Daniel GarganLacasse, Carolina Malloy, Cheryl Abraham, and Grace Berikoff for organizing the toys and arranging them to get to youth in Wrigley, Sambaa K'e, Fort Simpson, Fort Providence, and Fort Liard. I would like to thank Simpson Air and Hopes Ventures for getting the toys to Wrigley, Sambaa K'e and Fort Liard.
Mr. Speaker, these toys made it to youth in five communities in the Nahendeh and Deh Cho ridings thanks to the individuals I mentioned. They did a lot of work and came up with the plan. For this, I am very thankful.
Mr. Speaker, it's just amazing to have Santa provide Christmas in January for some of these youth. It's unfortunate that, through weather and other challenges, they weren't able to get this during Christmastime, but we thank Santa, the businesses, and my friend for extending Christmas into January.
Mr. Speaker, the toys were a generous gift, and we know that the children and families who received them will be very appreciative. I cannot thank the Secret Santa, the businesses, and my friend enough. This was a moment the youth will remember for a long time. Mr. Speaker, I would like my colleagues to give them a round of applause. Mashi Cho, Mr. Speaker.
Applause
