Boys belly up to burgers for love, charity

Are you like so many hopelessly unromantic men around the world who fear the advent of Valentine’s Day?

These poor fellows suffer for weeks with anxiety about how best to show their love to that special someone in their lives.

Thankfully, Hole’s Greenhouses & Gardens has stepped up to the plate, and they’re serving up some good grub and liquid refreshments to seal the deal.

Beers, Burgers and Bouquets is the business’s eleventh hour solution to the Valentine’s eve sweats. Instead of picking up a rose at the gas station, how about you make your own bouquet? Hole’s co-owner Bill Hole pledges the Enjoy Centre event will be a lot of fun for the guys.

“We know that guys are not the best at remembering Valentine’s Day so we’re going to make it easy for them if they come to this event,” he said. “I’m one of the worst stereotypes here. I always say to my wife, ‘You can have any flowers you want after Valentine’s Day.’”

The men-only event promises beer and burgers while the attendees arrange their bouquets and get their photos taken with their creations. The flowers will then be delivered the next day.

For Hole, there’s an added level of importance as the money goes to support the Lois Hole Hospital for Women. There have been a lot of difficulties in getting men to even show up to fundraisers for the centre, he said.

“It’s not to say they don’t care. There’s all kinds of events that bring lots and lots of women, but usually if men come they’re with their wives.”

That’s why this event is just for the dudes. Hole wants more guys to think about women’s health.

“They should realize just how important [women’s health] is and how great that hospital is in what it’s doing. Without being chauvinistic, most men are not as independent as we profess to be.”

To further entice men to buy tickets, there will be entertainment and giveaways and all attendees are encouraged to wear jeans and jerseys. CTV sports director Dave Mitchell will act as the host.