A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
20 Percent More People Than Last Year
Chief Ron LaFrance cooks pancakes.
Breakfast is served in the fire hall garage.
From left, Janice Brown, Jill Benedict and Kaniehtine LaFrance prepare takeout breakfasts.
Clarissa Chatland sells raffle tickets for a laptop computer.
The Akwesasne Area Management Board was one of many local businesses and groups dropping off donations throughout the day. They gave $1,291.
Todd Papineau and Shannon Keel play 'gingerbread face,' where the object is to slide a gingerbread cookie from the forehead to the mouth, hands-free.
Akwesasne Mohawk Casino staff donated several large bags of toys.
Akwesasne Holiday Helpers committee members Caroline Peters, foreground, and Agatha Thompson handle paperwork and organizational jobs.
Akwesasne Holiday Helpers organizers are hopeful their Dec. 9 fundraiser will leave them in a position to help about 20 percent more people than last year.
"We're doing very well," program committee member Caroline Peters said. "With last year, people were unsure of regulations on signing up. Now that we have more information out there, more people are coming forward.
Committee member Matt Rourke said they are expecting to assist 1,200 people this year, up from 1,000 in 2015.
The fundraiser included meals, raffles, a silent auction and the jail fundraiser. People from throughout the community would be "arrested" by St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police and placed in a holding area at the event until donations totaled their bail amount.
Those serving time included Benjamin Herne, Daryl Lazore, Troy Thompson, Chris Herne, Dusty Rourke, Carole Ross, Billy Black, Jessica Cree Jock, Todd Papineau, Kevin LaFrance, Morris Oakes, Shelley Jacobs, Beverly Cook, Mike Swamp, Michael Connors Jr., Ron LaFrance, Eric Thompson, Cheryl Jacobs, Julia Back, Shannon Keel, Sandy Benedict, Raymond Mitchell, Roger Allen, Colby Herne, Tom Messner, Rob White, Charity "Brad Lazore and Scott McDonald, Amber McDonald and Anthony Tillman.
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