John MacNeil / Independent editor
Stettler and area residents rallied Saturday to raise almost $3,400 for breast-cancer research.
On a sunny stampede weekend, the community partnered with Peavey Mart in support of a Wild Pink Yonder fundraiser that included a barbecue, a silent auction and a head-shaving for the store’s head cashier, Fran Needham-Allison.
Event organizer Stacy Westergreen of Peavey Mart reported Sunday that $3,383 was raised via Stettler’s campaign.
“I was quite shocked with the community of Stettler and how well they came together,” said Westergreen, who moved to town a few months ago from Lethbridge.
“I’m shocked that we could raise so much in such a short time period.
We started the auction on the 25th of July, so in less than three weeks, we raised just under $3,500 for breast cancer.
“Hair-cutting pledges were $687. The silent auction was $1,561 and the actual barbecue and bake sale was $743.”
Inside and outside the Stettler store, symbolic pink decorations underlined the breast-cancer cause and seemed to set the mood for the daylong activities, which included music from high school student Cade Bengert.
“I haven’t heard a complaint yet,” Westergreen said during Saturday’s barbecue.
“Everybody is happy – there’s a lot of smiling faces. The colour pink seems to make everybody happy.”
One of the day’s highlights was Needham-Allison’s close crop in the barber’s chair.
“Fran has a lot less hair today,” Westergreen said Sunday. “That was pretty good of her. And we ended up shaving a ribbon (pattern) into her head. “I’m glad she was willing to shave her head, because nobody else would.
She has a family member that has gone through breast cancer, so for her, it’s a very personal issue.”
People were willing to help fight cancer in other ways, and Westergreen credited staff, businesses and the community for stepping up to the plate.
“It’s just been a huge community effort to get this going,” she said. “I was amazed by the generosity. Everything just kind of fell into place.”
“Sobeys, No Frills and all the local businesses donated for our silent auction. The Gadsby Hutterite Colony donated baked goods for our bake sale. Don Gillespie donated the grills for our barbecue.”
“A shout out to the Stettler EMS for coming out and showing their support for breast cancer. They parked one of their vehicles, letting the kids go in and showing them the shiny stuff. We all like to see that.”