It may be asking a bit much, but a Richmond-based children’s charity is dreaming of hitting the $1 million-mark by the end of 2016.
Wigs for Kids BC, with a mission to “provide a free wig for every B.C. child who needs one,” has raised more than $875,000 in nine years of operation from its Steveston office.
And with the charity’s fundraising efforts averaging out at just under $100,000 per year, its goal is to push the limits and attract the $125,000 it needs in its 10th year to hit $1 million.
“Everything we do is volunteer-run, so all the money we raise goes to the kids,” explained Bev Friesen, of Wigs for Kids BC, adding that the majority of the charity’s fundraising events seem to be in Richmond.
“I’ll be doing my best and doing everything possible (to reach $1 million), but it’s going to be a bit of a stretch.
“I have every confidence we will get close though.”
Wigs for Kids BC’s bid to hit the marker starts next week with one of its big fundraisers, the hair salon cut-a-thon.
On Sunday, Jan. 31, at Mon Amie Hair Salon on Westminster Highway — between No. 1 and No. 2 roads — for a minimum donation of $40 for women and $20 for men, you can get a professional cut and/or style and, in the process, help B.C. kids live a better life with cancer.
The charity is encouraging people to collect pledges before the cut-a-thon and if you have raised a minimum $40 in pledges, the haircut will be free.
Or, you can always go along on the day of the event and have your hair cut and all the money will still go to the charity.
“Anyone can go along, you don’t even need to have your hair cut; it’s more about supporting the event,” added Friesen.
Wigs for Kids BC also takes its message around schools in the province throughout the year, explaining the importance of the wigs and encouraging students to grow their hair to then be cut off for pledges at a later date.
Lord Byng elementary in Richmond has signed up this year and students are currently growing their hair and taking pledges ahead of an April cut-a-thon.
“We’ve been doing the school thing for 10 years and we would love more schools to get involved with us,” said Friesen.
“We want every child who lives in B.C. to be able to have a wig if they need one. No one has ever been refused and we hope that continues. And it’s not just kids with cancer that need wigs; kids with serious burns and alopecia also need help.”
Appointments can be made for next week’s cut-a-thon at Mon Amie Hair Salon by calling 604-284-2643. Also go online to wigsforkidsbc.com for further information.
