Go Blue, Go Bald for Make-A-Wish
Article content
Having a blue hair day?
The Tri-County Adorablues are - the team has ‘gone blue’ to help raise money for Make-A-Wish Southwestern Ontario’s Go Blue, Go Bald campaign.
Fundraising members dye their hair blue, then shave it off on Saturday, June 22 at Tangles Salon (Riley’s Café), 145 Simcoe Street in Tillsonburg beginning at 1 p.m.
“It’s for two causes – first of all, I’m cutting my hair for cancer and everyone else is dyeing their hair blue and then shaving their head,” said Annette Coderre, captain of the Tri-County Adorablues fundraising team, a group of friends and family who have rallied together with the goal of raising money for Make-A-Wish.
“My father was diagnosed with cancer and both him and a friend of mine who had passed away from cancer were worried about losing their hair, so I decided I was going to cut my hair. I brought this idea up one day when we were getting our hair done at a salon and I said I’m going to shave my head for Make-A-Wish too – if I’m cutting it, I’m going all the way.”
Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with serious medical conditions or life-threatening illness.
“It costs about $8,000 for one child’s wish, through the Make-A-Wish,” said team member Chantele Martin. “The money would be going to a child from our area in Southwestern Ontario, who is enrolled with Make-A-Wish.”
Members of the Tri-County Adorablues team, from Oxford, Norfolk and Elgin Counties, are Martin, Coderre, Deb Ryerse, Shirley Miller, Dave Miller, Nick Villemaire, Michelle Moyer and Craig Oliver.
“We decided to name our team the Tri-County Adorablues because when Craig is in the back of the car and you ask him how he’s doing,” said Coderre with a laugh, “he just says he’s adorable.”
Team members will be wearing a button with the phrase, ‘Ask Me About My Blue Hair’ to encourage conversation about the fundraiser and to share an important message behind the Go Blue, Go Bald campaign.
“That person has blue hair, they’re different,” said Miller. “Or if a child is in a wheelchair, if they’re sick or if they’re different from the other kids, we also use it to explain to kids that just because someone’s different doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing.”
Coderre is encouraging everyone in Tillsonburg to come out on June 22, cheer the team on, and show their support for Make-A-Wish as the Tri-County Adorablues shave their blue hair for a great cause.
“We’re going to have balloons for the children that come out and Riley’s Cafe has put on some specials for that day,” said Coderre. “Riley’s Cafe and Tangles Hair Salon are going to donate a portion of their day’s revenue to the event and are also sponsoring us for the event.
“If it’s not raining, we’re going to run cords outside, and shave our heads on the front step. It’s going to be a lot of fun for everybody - come out and show your community spirit.
“People can donate $1, $2 or any amount they want. It makes a huge difference in a child’s life.
“We’re hoping to raise around $3,000 and we’re about a third of the way now. People can make donations online. Go to the website (www.makeawish.ca/gobluegobald), click ‘sponsor a team’ and look for the Tri-County Adorablues.”