Manitoulin Lodge staff members Nicki Middleton and Lee Turley shaved their heads when the home raised $1,500 in support of a girl from Gore Bay who is undergoing chemotherapy.

Manitoulin Lodge raises $1,500 to support teen with cancer
Two staff members shave heads for cause
Friday March 2, 2012 -- Jennifer Neutel
Manitoulin Lodge residents, community members and staff rallied together to raise $1,500 for a family whose 16-year-old daughter is undergoing cancer treatment in Toronto.

Activation director Gloria Hall says the young girl is from the town of Gore Bay on Manitoulin Island, where Manitoulin Lodge is located.

Organizations were fundraising for the family, and the staff and residents at the Jarlette Health Services long-term care home wanted to get involved, she says.

Through word of mouth and signs, the 63-bed home raised $1,500 in donations.

To encourage people to donate, restorative care and staff education co-ordinator Lee Turley and personal support worker Nicki Middleton offered to shave their heads for the cause.

Their heads were shaved Feb. 17. A staff member and community member who donated the most money had the opportunity to do the shaving. Anyone else who wanted to help shave the hair were welcome, says Hall, noting one resident who was a hairdresser helped.

Turley says he knows the family and went through school with the girl's aunt.

“It was a great cause, so it was good to know that we were doing something to show our support to the community,” he says.

The cheque was given to the family, and will be used to help with travel expenses between the family's current home in Sudbury and Toronto.

Turley says the support is what happens in a small community, as people pull together.

“I hope that other homes, when certain things like this in their communities come up, will show their support and do the same,” he says.

Hall says the home gains a lot from the community and it is good to give back.

“The residents are really happy when we can give back and when we do things for the community, it makes them feel good,” she adds.

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