It's been a few months since thousands of people gathered at the Ice Palace in West Edmonton Mall for the head shave en masse. Now, the results of their labours are in, and, just as expected, the pot keeps growing.
The 10th annual Hair Massacure topped $1.3 million, its best year ever. It has had a few years of growth since it first reached the $1 million mark.
Organizer Tammy MacDonald was thrilled with the warm and generous response of participants.
"We're close to 2,000 participants now!" she exclaimed.
Her enthusiasm was tempered by the fact that the Hair Massacure only exists because more children get cancer year after year.
"The more we grow, the number of children – unfortunately – grows. It's hard to keep up with that. Last year was a record year for cancer diagnoses. It's so elevated, it's ridiculous," she said.
The latest dollar amount brings the decade-long tally to almost $6.1 million. All funds raised go to support the Stollery Children's Hospital, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northern Alberta, and the Ronald McDonald House of Northern Alberta.
For more information about the event, the charity organization itself or the causes it supports, please call 780-431-4621 or visit www.hairmassacure.com.
Float for food
Of the 120 entries in this weekend's Rainmaker Rodeo parade, there will likely be several floats that have people throwing candy to the children in the crowd. There's also going to be one that has its hand out to help those in need.
The local members of the Canadian Progress Club are making their inaugural entry into the parade this year, and its primary goal is to fill up the shelves at the St. Albert Food Bank.
Doug Ritzen, president of the service club's Alberta north zone, wanted to send out an arresting reminder to the public to bring donations. The CPC's float features a jail cell.
"Our float is going to say 'Arrest Hunger.' We just figured it would be nice to have a jail to try and fill it up so people can focus on arresting hunger because that's what we're trying to do."
There will be CPC volunteers walking around the crowd asking for and picking up any food donations.
The parade takes place on Saturday morning starting at 9:30 a.m. Visit www.rainmaker.ab.ca for more details.
