The Hepworth Public School is into the fifth year of its Brenda’s Braids fundraiser to supply wigs for children.
The teacher who started the Canadian Cancer Society fundraiser five years ago, Amy Downey says she started the fundraiser when her aunt Brenda was diagnosed with cancer, and believed her school could make an impact.
She says instead of sending pledge forms home, they started a six week Brenda’s Braid blitz, in which students wear their hair in a braid every Tuesday between April 16 and May 24.
“Over the five years, both at school and virtually, the hawks have been keeping with tradition and sporting their braids every Tuesday, along with raising some serious money for the CCA and donating over 50 hair donations to make wigs for kids in our area,” says Downey.
Downey adds by the end of the multi-week fundraiser, kids will cut off their hair and it will be sent to Wigs For Kids.
Downey says through Covid, they were still able to do the fundraiser virtually, where students continued to wear their braids during their virtual classes, and they cut them off when they returned to school.
Downey says the goal for this year was to raise $2,000, however, they have already blown past their goal raising around $2,800.
Downey adds this year, her class also decided to make about 300 hair scrunchies, which they would sell for $3 each or two for $5.
“We sold over 250 scrunchies and just selling those alone we are close to $700 in money on scrunchies which is kind of cool and exciting becasue it adds to the hype of the kids, like they are even just wearing them as bracelets which is kind of fun,” says Downey.
Downey says a representative from the Canadian Cancer Society will attend their big hair cutting day on May 24.
“I think it is just really important for kids in school to understand some families are going through this and going through harder times than they are. We’ve had a few kids go through our schools who have fought cancer and beat it which is wonderful. Just to raise awareness and giving to others is just really important,” says Downey.
Those interested in sending in a monetary donation or donating their hair can reach out to Downey at dougandamyd@yahoo.ca for more information.
