Turning heads for a cause
Oct. 23 is the day to Dress for the Cause.
Norma Panzine, owner of Affairs Bakery and Café, has expanded on a Breast Cancer Society of Canada fundraising event by publishing a calendar of twelve local men wearing sticker bras and pink feather boas.
The models are BIA member John Shore, council member Thom Paterson, paramedic Brian MacIntyre, firefighter Warren Darling, Tim Armour with his bagpipes, Ken Thornton playing his harp, plumber Taylor Wadeson of T. Nash Plumbing, Corey Finkelstein of Cardboard Castles, Tim Martin of Creemore Auto Detailing, John Miller with one of the girls at Miller’s Dairy, Matthew Fuller at Creemore Springs Brewery and The Creemore Echo’s own Fred Mills.
Now in its 18th year, Dress for the Cause has raised more than $7 million for breast cancer research in Canada. On the day, the Breast Cancer Society of Canada asks businesses, clubs, schools, and organizations of all sizes to donate, dress up, decorate and host pink-themed events to raise money.
Last year, Panzine hosted a high tea with all things pink and decorated the café with bras but she said she wanted to do something a little different this year and set about finding models and sponsors.
Creemore photographer Bryan Davies volunteered his time to take the photos and Panzine got enough sponsorship money to cover the cost of printing 70 calendars, from which all of the proceeds is going to fund breast cancer research.
After expenses, more than half of the proceeds from a second run of calendars will also go to the Breast Cancer Society of Canada.
Panzine said the top fundraiser will earn a $5,000 donation to the cancer centre in their region, in this case Royal Victoria Hospital. In addition to the calendars, Affairs is also selling cookies and bracelets.
On Oct. 3, the staff at Affairs kicked off Breast Cancer Awareness Month by wearing pink bras over top of their clothes.
“People were making very good eye contact that day,” said Panzine laughing. “They didn’t want to look at the bras… It was fun and it created some excitement.”
Panzine said the cause is important to her because she had a scare 20 years ago when she found a lump on her breast.
“I was one of the fortunate ones, it was benign,” she said. “But breast cancer has affected most people in one way or another.”
The calendars are for sale for $15 each at Affairs in Creemore, 148 Mill Street.
The campaign continues until Oct. 31 and calendars will be available while supplies last.
(Photo: Bryan Davies Photography)
