There’ll be plenty of fun and laughs in downtown Rimbey this coming Saturday in support of the Northern Alberta Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Complete with a dunk tank, a silent auction of some quality items, and popcorn and cotton candy for the kids, The Vault on 50th Avenue promises to be a happening place.
And if you’re really lucky, you just might see something that you’ve never seen before, or may never see again.
“It’s to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation,” said Jan Lucas, manager of The Vault. “I decided about two years ago that when I turned 50, I’d shave my head to raise money for the foundation. Once my daughters and myself bought The Vault, I thought, what the heck, we might as well make a good party of it and raise some funds. It’ll be happening at 4:00 in the afternoon and we’ll take all pledges small or large.”
In an effort to raise as much money as possible for the Foundation, organizers are throwing out the challenge to any member of the public to step up and support the cause by wither volunteering for a good old-fashioned head-shaving or by taking a seat – be it every so temporarily, at the dunk tank.
If that’s not quite to your liking, the public is also encouraged to place bids during the silent auction that features items such as a remote-controlled boat, several gift certificates from area merchants, golf clubs and certificates for rounds of golf and even a night’s stay in a swanky downtown Calgary hotel.
But despite the anticipated fun nature of the event, some children who could really, really use a break will be the biggest benefactors.
“The Make a Wish foundation offers wishes to children 18 years or younger with life-threatening illnesses,” said Michawn Giesbrecht who is familiar with the Foundation. “Our son Shane, who was 18 at the time, went on a Make-A-Wish trip to Mexico, and he had the best time of his life there. I was just wonderful; he actually passed away on the trip, but he had a great time. I think it’s a wonderful thing to do for kids.”
As for the big event planned for the day, Lucas said having her head shaved for a good cause is a small price to pay for such a worthy cause.
“I guess the whole thing came around with me turning 50, and I’ve been fortunate enough to make 50,” she said. “I’ve had death in my family as well, so I thought I’d do something worthwhile and children are important to me, so Make-A-Wish came to mind and the only thing I thought I could do to raise some funds is shave my head.”
It won’t end with a pile of hair on the floor however, as Lucas – who will celebrate her 50th on that day, plans on shipping the locks east to a company in Ontario that specializes in making wigs for cancer patients out of human hair.
As for the Foundation and its biggest benefactors, Giesbrecht said the funds raised will be staying locally and will assist children in rural Alberta.
“Everyone wants to help kids, and most people will know of someone that’s been affected or has benefited from the Make-A-Wish Foundation,” she said. “For some of these children, there isn’t a lot of hope and this gives them something fun and memorable in their life.”
The event is open to all ages and the fun kicks off at 11 a.m. and will run until 8 p.m.
After that, the adults get the run of the place again and a live band will be on hand beginning at 9 p.m. with a $5 cover charge being donated to the Foundation. As well, patrons will have the opportunity of enjoying some delicious hamburgers and other treats as well.
Pledge sheets to raise funds for the head shaving are currently available at The Vault for anyone who wishes to help out a bit financially or is willing to lose their own locks.
For more information, the public is invited to drop by The Vault for more information.
Following are a number of quick facts provided by the Northern Alberta Make-A-Wish Foundation:
* Since our inception, we have increased the number of wishes granted each year, from 8 in 1998 to 38 in 2006. Our goal for 2007 is to fulfill 50 wishes.
* We do not solicit wishes - we wait for them to be referred to us.
* We ensure a granted wish is very personal to the individual child, involves the family and is free from financial worries. We ask the family to be a part of the wish experience, knowing that parents and siblings need magical moments just as much as the wish child.
* The average cost to grant a wish in Canada is between $6,000 - $7,000.
* We receive no government funding. Dollars raised come from individual donations, corporate contributions, grants and bequests, and through special fundraising events. We are also pleased to accept the donation of items that can be utilized in the granting of wishes.
* We do not raise funds through either door-to-door or telephone solicitations. We do not participate in or endorse wishes that involve chain letters.
* We are a registered charity committed to the goal that at least 80 per cent of all amounts raised goes directly to the granting of wishes.
* We do not embark on ‘group’ wishes such as airlifts to Disney World - all wishes are individual and based on the child’s chosen wish.