The Princeton Shave for the Brave fundraiser this year was more successful than its organizers could have ever imagined.
In 2012 Frankie Reichert headed up the fundraiser in honour of her grandmother and raised just over $6,200.
“This year I want to beat that, even double it, but we need your support,” said Reichert. “Your support will help us help others.”
Reichert got involved in the initiative again this year to support her mother, who is currently fighting colon cancer. Sandra Lewis joined in— standing up for her friend and co-worker, Layla Locke who, too, has recently been diagnosed with cancer.
In late February, Reichert and Lewis began a full-out campaign to raise awareness and funds for the Shave For the Brave campaign. They created a Facebook page, invited locals to join in, plastered the community with posters and prepared for the main event held on Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at the Princeton Fire Hall.
Dean Stinson, local announcer extraordinaire emceed the afternoon event introducing the special guests—the folks giving up their locks, and the amount they raised, the stylists, Princeton Ambassadors and candidates, Mayor Armitage and Councillor Kim Maynard, who was also brave enough to shave.
Mayor Frank Armitage extended his admiration of Reichert and Lewis for initiating the campaign and to all those “brave enough to shave, you make your community proud.”
As well as donating the firehall as the venue, The Princeton Volunteer Fire Brigade supplied coffee and hot chocolate for the shavee’s and all those who came to support them. Princeton Subway donated sandwiches and Shave for the Brave provided tuques and a thank you card for each individual who took part.
Main fundraisers for the Princeton campaign were: Frankie Reichert - $9196.65, Sandra Lewis - $2,456.35, Kevin Theissen - $3,790, Grant Davies - $1,000 and a special shout-out and thanks to Jay Bruce of Nova Scotia who joined in the Princeton campaign, shaved and raised $372.
Thirty locals committed to the cause, a large number of employees from Copper Mountain Mine and had their heads shaved clean. A total of $18,050 was raised for the 2014 Princeton campaign.
Reichert and Lewis are astounded at the incredible support they received from the community. They expected a great turnout, but “this was just amazing,” said Reichert. “No words,” said Lewis, “we are overwhelmed and appreciative.”
Kelly Reichert with tears in her eyes, watched and held her daughters hand while stylist Denise Wybou shaved off the two years worth of growth Frankie had accumulated since her last Shave for the Brave.
“There are no words to describe... It’s an amazing thing,” said Kelly Reichert of her daughters commitment. Through a smile and tears of complete pride she said, “Frankie took a bad thing and made some good out of it.”