Residents going bald for wishes in Metcalfe

Posted Feb 2, 2012 By Emma Jackson

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Twelve-year-old Michael Bates, left, and his brother Matthew Bates, 10, will both shave their heads on Saturday, Feb. 4 in support of the Eastern Ontario chapter of Make A Wish Foundation. Their mother Kim Sheldrick has organized the event for four years and hopes to raise $3,500.

Emma Jackson, Metroland

Twelve-year-old Michael Bates, left, and his brother Matthew Bates, 10, will both shave their heads on Saturday, Feb. 4 in support of the Eastern Ontario chapter of Make A Wish Foundation. Their mother Kim Sheldrick has organized the event for four years and hopes to raise $3,500.

EMC news - Few people wish to go bald, but several Ottawa South residents are going bald for wishes this weekend.

Vernon resident Kim Sheldrick and her two sons Michael and Matthew Bates will host their fourth annual Go Bald for Wishes event at the Metcalfe Lions Den on Saturday, Feb. 4 to raise money for Make a Wish Foundation Eastern Ontario.

The charity grants wishes like trips, toys and adventures for children with life-threatening and terminal illnesses.

This year's event will raise money to grant one Osgoode boy his wish - a close-to-home factor Sheldrick said helps convince people to donate.

"When you receive (charitable donation requests) in the mail, you're not sure where it's going. But if you can see the results, a lot of people are more apt to donate if they can see it's in their backyard," she said.

Sheldrick's son Michael Bates first shaved his head five years ago at the Rideau Centre, where the charity hosted one city-wide event each year. But Sheldrick didn't like the long drive into downtown Ottawa, and decided to do something about it.

"I talked to the organizers, and the next year we had one in Metcalfe," she said.

Both of her sons, aged 10 and 12, shave their heads each year, although Sheldrick sticks to her supervisory role.

"I'm not that brave," she laughed.

Between 10 and 15 people each year submit to having their heads shaved, which Sheldrick said is fun to watch.

"It's a fun time because the reactions are quite interesting. Usually they're pretty excited, but there's a look of shock," she said.

The past three events combined have raised $14,000, sending two girls from Metcalfe on adventures of a lifetime.

One girl went to Montreal and met pop sensation Justin Bieber, and the other went with her family to England.

This year's recipient, whose name has not been released by his family, hasn't decided what he would like to do, Sheldrick said.

Already seven people are signed up to shave their heads, but Sheldrick is looking for more.

Participants can collect pledges for their new 'do in a variety of ways, from tracking pledges on the Make A Wish Foundation's official pledge form, writing them on a piece of paper or just collecting in a jar.

"It depends if people want a receipt or not," Sheldrick said. Her goal for the event this year is $3,500.

The Metcalfe Lions have already donated about $500, and have paid for the use of the Lions Den.

For the second year in a row Metcalfe Public School, which Michael attends, will host a crazy hair day on Feb. 3, the day before the event. For $2 students can do anything they want to their hair, with all proceeds going to the event.

Currently Michael and Matthew have their own crazy hair styles: Michael's is bright pink and Matthew is sporting a black mohawk.

"They're allowed because I know it will be gone in a few weeks," Sheldrick said.

Make a Wish Foundation has had a chapter in Eastern Ontario since 1999. The charity aims to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to "enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy," according to the website.

To pledge or participate in the event, contact Sheldrick at 613-821-3033 or kimsheldrick@yahoo.ca.