The Terence Tootoo Memorial (TTM) committee donated $2,500 to the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet on April 4 to recognize the hamlet's 50th anniversary.

The funds will be used for the upcoming Pakallak Tyme festival.

In return, the Municipality of Rankin Inlet thanked the TTM organizers for all their community support throughout the year.

TTM Committee member Hamish Tatty said there are still a number of people in the community who might not realize these are the types of things the TTM Committee does as a way of giving back to the community.

He said the committee tries to help out wherever it can by supporting sports, mental health initiatives and whatever activities in the community that help bring families together.

鈥淚t's a good feeling having the league's backing in allowing us to help out like this,鈥� said Tatty. 鈥� The committee sits down to discuss what benefits each project would bring to the community and tries to select the one we think we will help more than the others.

鈥淚t's a case of where we feel the money will do the most good.鈥�

Tatty estimated that the TTM Committee gives out $50,000 to $60,000 to various activities and organizations in the community per year.

He said wherever the committee donates money, the recipient always expresses great gratitude for the funding they receive.

鈥淭he TTM Committee hopes the donations also help some people view senior men's hockey in the community in a little better light.

鈥淲e're hoping the donations we make to the community will also lead to better things down the road for senior hockey, in terms of community and fan support," said Tatty. 鈥淲e view anything we do positive for the community will also reflect positively on the league.鈥�

Tatty said the donations are backed 100 per cent by members of the TTM Committee.

He said he sees the donations continuing in the community for the foreseeable future.

鈥淪ome organizations will submit an application to us to be considered for support, while, at other times, the TTM Committee will see something that we think is good for the community and we'll approach them to see if we can donate something to their cause.

鈥淚'd say it works out to about 50-50; they approach us or we approach them.

鈥淓ither way, everyone walks away with a pretty good feeling when we're able to make a donation to someone.

鈥淚 think it's a win-win scenario for everyone.鈥�