“The students really stepped up to the plate this year to donate items for the silent auction,” said HR Advisor Pam Beattie.
The tradition of adopting a family began many years ago with a staff member who started a silent auction as an effort to raise funds to support a family in need’s Christmas, starting with meals of the day and extending to presents, if funds allowed.
“This year, the silent auction exploded with items and funds that were raised!” said Beattie. “The students from our Trades Department really made an impact on the outcome with their hand-crafted donations.”
A backyard fire pit built by the welding and machinist students brought in the auction’s biggest bid. The carpenters made an incredibly unique chess set, a bee box end table, and a handy kitchen stool. The cook students also got into the spirit of things and donated a tray of Christmas cookies.
“It wasn’t just the students, either,” explained Beattie. “Staff donated all of the other items up for bid, which included everything from luggage to a beautiful handmade tea box. It was great!”
Over $2,000 was raised for the family this year, and NLC was able to provide them with meals for Christmas day and beyond, along with presents for each of the four children in the family.
“We needed three cars and many volunteers to pull it off,” said Beattie. “I really want to thank everyone who contributed to the auction, either by donating or by bidding. What a way to give back to our community.”
The team that created the firepit!
(From back left) Desmond Gunter, Colton Grassie, Jodi Myggland, Jesse Bruneau-Dupuis, Kreg Sterritt, Tyrell Dendys, Mathias Merkl, Cole McKenzie, Layne Landry, Jordan Alexander, Skyler Dayus, Dreyten Thompson Front Left: Kaemyn Ness, Braeden Norman, Dylan Carpenter, Matthew Yost, Zachary Thomsen-Bilan (NOT Pictured Darcy Suchy)
