You’ve heard of hair-raising experiences. Well, you could say what the OPP have planned for the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship next month is a “hair-shaving” one.
The stage under the big tent will be knee-deep in hair on Saturday, July 25 when local OPP officers go bald in hopes of raising money for the Canadian Cancer Society as part of the “Cops for Cancer” project.
Cst. Derek McLean and Cst. Mark Boileau last week had about 40 people lined up to get their heads shaved–and they’re aiming for more as the annual bass tournament draws nearer.
“It’s been very positively received by the officers,” Cst. McLean said, noting they’re also pulling in officers from the Emo, Rainy River, and First Nations detachments, as well as S/Sgt. Hugh Dennis.
Joe’s Barber Shop in Fort Frances and the Hair and Body Care Shoppe in Emo will be supply the scissors–and the people to use them–for the event.
“We don’t want any nicks or missing parts,” joked Cst. Boileau. “We want experienced cutters.”
But the shave-off isn’t restricted to just OPP officers. In fact, Cst. Boileau said the police are trying to get the whole community involved.
And that includes some of the anglers, he added, noting he will be getting his head shaved after fishing in the tournament Saturday.
“This is open to anybody,” Cst. Boileau stressed. “We’re putting an open challenge to anybody. We feel we can raise the most money.”
“It would be nice to see some of the bass tournament officials do it,” Cst. Boileau said, not naming any names (which should make John McTaggart and Doug Cain very happy.)
Several other OPP detachments have participated in the “Cops for Cancer” program over the past year although Cst. Boileau said the one here wasn’t approached until a few months ago.
The key to making it a success was timing, he said, and so combining the shave-off with the bass tournament seemed like a really good idea.
“It’s pretty cheap entertainment to watch,” Cst. Boileau laughed.
Anyone who wants to contribute to “Cops for Cancer” can do so by dropping off a pledge at the OPP station in Fort Frances, or by giving a pledge to any officer or person participating in the event.
Money can be given right up until the shave-off, Cst. Boileau said, with all money having to be in two weeks afterwards.
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