The kids at Leo Nickerson Elementary went absolutely bonkers during a special assembly last Tuesday.
The scene was the wrap up for the 13th annual Hair Massacure and started with the announcement that Nickerson was the top fundraising school for this year’s event.
Loud cheers followed.
Then there was the trophy that was brought out for everyone to be proud of. Louder cheers followed.
Then a giant Kali Bear mascot walked out of the gymnasium storage room and waved to the crowd.
Pandemonium ensued, especially as a DJ kicked up some tunes to set off a dance party, the school’s prize for their dedication to the cause.
“Because they were the top fundraising school, we wanted to do something special for them,” explained Nicki Wohland, the charity’s representative at the event.
She thanked the school for their enthusiasm and participation rate that saw close to 150 of the students get involved back in February.
“You guys are awesome!” she praised them to more cheers, before announcing that they contributed more than $41,000 to the pot for their efforts.
Neil M. Ross Catholic Elementary was one of the runners-up in the fundraising category while Sturgeon Heights Elementary was a runner-up for the Spirit Award.
The total amount raised for the 2013 campaign was $1,495,599, leading Wohland to muse that the take will best $1.5 million in 2014.
“Next year … for sure.”
It’s only been three years since it broke the $1 million mark for the first time. Over the entire 13 years of the event, it has brought in more than $7.5 million, all of which gets split between the Stollery Children’s Hospital, the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Northern Alberta and the Ronald McDonald House of Northern Alberta.
Every year, hundreds of people from numerous communities help out by dying their hair pink to show their support. Then, on or near Valentine’s Day, they all gather at West Edmonton Mall’s Ice Palace to shave it all off.
For more information, visit www.hairmassacure.com.
