Pictured above is Northern Aklavik manager Mike Helms, dressed as Santa Claus during the Christmas feast.

The holiday season is time for celebration and Northern Aklavik was proud to be a part of the community bonding that happened through a Christmas feast.

In 2019, the store donated a total of $2,100 to the community in Aklavik, including a Christmas dinner for the elders and preschoolers. The event attracted about 200 people, with all store managers and staff busy serving up food and entertainment to guests. Mike Helms, Northern Aklavik Store Manager, even dressed up as a Santa and handed out gifts to community members.

“There was much laughter and smiles as Santa dealt with fun-loving elders and some excited children. For two weeks after the meal, I had elders come into the store with smiles on their faces, calling me Santa,” he happily recalled.

This Christmas feast was one of many events Northern Aklavik planned to give back to the community, as well as to show that Northern staff see Aklavik residents as family, and care for the residents’ wellbeing just as much as they are focused on operating the store. Mike acknowledges that it is these types of gatherings that bring people closer.

“For our store, this is a big way to win their trust and show support for the community that we live in,” he says.

It was the Northern Aklavik team’s pleasure to help the community members stay full – both physically and emotionally – during the holidays.