Quality of Life for Seniors fundraising committee a big success
Tuesday August 7, 2007 -- Deron Hamel
A volunteer fundraising committee at Leisureworld Caregiving Centre in North Bay has raised thousands of dollars over the past 12 years to benefit residents.

Quality of Life for Seniors is made up of eight staff members from different departments at the long-term care home.

In May, the committee raised more than $3,000 to help fund the construction of a gazebo, which will be built in the home’s garden area.

And how do you raise so much money at one event?

“We did a head-buzzing session and we did that with a yard sale and a barbecue,” Kathy Flaubert, this year’s committee chair, tells The Morning Report. “With the head-buzzing we raised over $3,000.”

Yup, you heard that right. More than $3,000 just for shaving your head right down to the scalp.

“It’s such an easy fundraiser,” says Flaubert, adding that shaving your head is a small price to pay to help raise money for residents.

And it wasn’t a difficult task getting people to make a pledge, she notes.

“A lot of people just want to see you without your hair.”

The head-buzzing – which has been held for the past two years – coupled with the céilidh, an event featuring traditional Celtic music and dancing being held Sept. 15, are this year’s two biggest fundraising events at the home, says Flaubert.

Other events the committee has spearheaded over the years include silent auctions, raffles and entertainment nights.

Linda Eaves, a health-care aide, helped form the committee 12 years ago.

“We had just decided to go to businesses and do a raffle within the building,” she says. “We did a similar thing the next year. From there we started a committee. We eventually involved nursing and management and continued to raise funds.”

Money raised in the past has gone towards building a therapeutic garden, installing a big screen TV on every floor and providing a Christmas present to each residents during the holiday season.

Residents are always grateful to the committee’s work, says Flaubert.

“Some of them are very emotional,” she says. “One of them came up to me and kissed me.”