Turkeys, gifts spread holiday cheer in Eastmain, Que.

For the first time, volunteers and band councillors in Eastmain, Que., are delivering early Christmas gifts to all 200 households in the village: a frozen turkey, a 10-pound bag of potatoes and a box of clementines.

"I was just overwhelmed," said Sheila Mark-Stewart, coordinator of this year's biggest-ever Christmas program, when the shipment of five pallets arrived yesterday. "I felt like crying, just watching the volunteers."

Mark-Stewart has helped out with her community's holiday events in the past, but she said this year's program is the most generous and most inclusive yet. She started ordering the food in November.

When she needed a hand unloading the frozen turkeys from the transport truck yesterday, she sent out a message on the local radio. Eleven young men immediately showed up to help.

She says seeing the teenagers pitch in like that shows they don't deserve the bad reputation they often get in the community.

"If you reach out the them in the right way, you can see it. They have love in their hearts just like everyone else."

Gifts for every child

As people in Eastmain are digging into their Christmas feasts, Mark-Stewart will be gearing up for her next holiday project: presents for all 235 kids under 10 in the village.

This was how previous generations of Eastmain kids got their gifts, but the tradition petered out about 20 years ago. This year, Mark-Stewart says she's eager to bring it back.

On Dec. 26 she and eight other volunteers will drive two pick-up trucks 10 hours to Val d'Or, the closest town to shop in.  

Santa Claus will drop by the church on New Year's Eve to hand out the presents.