De Beers Canada has donated nearly 500 quilt comforters that were in storage at the Snap Lake diamond mine to a handful of charities in Yellowknife and Hay River.
The donations come as part of the company’s #sharethewarmth campaign, which delivers goods to non-profits who help people and animals in their community.
Candace Thomson, communications specialist with De Beers, says the blankets were purchased as part of the mine’s construction phase and were only being kept on site for emergency purposes.
Now that the mine is in care and maintenance after ceasing mining operations last year, the company decided to put the comforters to better use.
“We’ve decided to give them a better use instead of having them just sit in storage,” said Thomson. “The need was so strong and we have them so we figured it was the best fit.”
On Friday, the mining company delivered the blankets to Lynn’s Place, Hope’s Haven, the Centre for Northern Families and the Salvation Army in Yellowknife.
De Beers also donated wool (and fire-retardant) blankets to the SPCA shelters in Yellowknife and Hay River.
James Moulton, business manager with the Salvation Army in Yellowknife, says his organization is grateful for the donation.
“These blankets will mostly be used in our emergency shelter program where we will see upwards of 49 men each night looking for a place to stay,” he said.
“We’re very happy that a group like De Beers would think of the Salvation Army and be able to support us in this way.
“It’s very good when we have the corporate community and the rest of the community coming together to help.”
