Dozens of community members got their hair chopped on Saturday in support of Steveston-based non-profit Wigs for Kids.
The cut-a-thon, held at Collective Beauty on Moncton Street, is part of the charity’s annual fundraising efforts. Gel manicures, brow lamination, lash lifts and microblading were also offered as part of the cut-a-thon.
Harper Downey, 8, decided to participate in the cut-a-thon again after donating her hair to Wigs for Kids last year.
“I want to donate money and hair for the people who need it,” said the Homma elementary student.
Downey spent “a couple of months” growing out her hair for the event, and she was “really excited” to see her ponytails get the chop.
Bev Friesen, Wigs for Kids’s chair, told the Richmond News the event was “fabulous.”
“Steveston is just supporting us so much, I can’t believe it,” she said.
The charity, which started in 2006 as an organization donating wigs to kids who lost their hair due to conditions such as cancer and alopecia, has since expanded its scope to providing supplies and cancers not covered by the MSP.
Wigs for Kids also recently started a driving program to help kids suffering from cancer and their parents get to their hospital appointments in comfort.
Although the charity experienced “a bit of a struggle” due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Friesen said the community support has been “unbelievable.”
The charity kicked off its fundraising efforts for 2023 with a silent auction last month, which managed to raise more than $65,000 with support from the local community.
Apart from the cut-a-thon, other Steveston businesses are also selling products and services in support of the charity throughout this weekend. The third annual Taco Eating Contest at Little Mexico Cantina in support of Wigs for Kids will also be held on Sunday, June 25.
Friesen estimates that the charity will be able to raise around $250,000 by the end of Sunday.
“In order to keep the program running, we have to raise $300,000 a year,” she said, adding that the non-profit is volunteer-run with no overheads.
“Every single penny that we raise goes to Wigs for Kids.”
