With Christmas just around the corner, there are many reasons people might have for donating food or money to the food bank. Perhaps it's just the spirit of giving, or they need to switch from naughty to nice on Santa's list, or maybe just for that warm and fuzzy feeling.
But perhaps the most unique reason to donate some non-perishables would be for the chance to shave a co-worker's head.
Jamey Nelson, who works at the North Battleford Home Hardware, has a lustrous, thick head of hair. Or rather, I should say had.
"It was just a kind of spur of the moment thing," said Nelson, of his idea to offer his curly locks in exchange for donations. "I wanted to put a different spin on it."
Nelson wanted to make a difference this Christmas for people less fortunate and when he approached his boss, store manager Larry Dunn, with the idea of filling a storage bin with food, Dunn was all for it.
"It's just unbelievable," said Dunn. "We're so proud that one of our staff would do something like this for the community."
Nelson decided that whoever made a donation to the Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre would be entered in a draw for the chance to be the one to shave Nelson's head.
The idea appeared well received, because they managed to fill that tote to the brim with a total of 114 lbs of food. Some people made cash donations as well, raising just under $200.
Although happy to reach his goal, success meant Nelson had to invest in a toque - not that he was too concerned.
"I was blessed with my mom's hair, so it'll all be back by New Year's," he said with a smile.
Co-worker Rietta Romfo won the draw, and went after Nelson's mop Dec. 15 with a chain saw and perhaps a little too much enthusiasm.
Many of the staff gathered around to watch the shearing, yelling such comments as: "Hey, aren't you supposed to have two ears?" and "Performance is down, so off comes the hair."
When it comes to donating, the group at Home Hardware know how to do it in style.
