They’re Cruisin’ for a Cause at A&W and even willing to make some big sacrifices to help raise funds for MS.
Last year manager Dorothy Young offered to shave her head if the staff raised more than $1,000. Motivated by the opportunity, they quickly neared that goal so Young raised the bar to $1,500, which they easily surpassed.
While Young, MS patient Carol Mitchell and A&W staff members Tim Joulie and Tracey Remington had their heads shaved last year, someone asked Young’s husband John what it would take to get him to shave his mustache.
Together 25 years, Young has only seen her husband without one once. He set the price high, the restaurant would have to raise more than $10,000.
So far this year they’ve raised about $1,000 Young said, a good contribution to the cause of curing and MS, she points out, but they have a long way to go for their other goal.
Luckily they have two months and plenty of fundraising ideas to get there.
They have coin donation boxes on the front counter, are selling 50/50 tickets and holding several raffles, doing bake sales and car wash/bottle drives.
Young said the bottle drives haven’t done well yet and they encourage people to think of them as a convenient way to get rid of their bottle collections, bring them down on the car wash days or any time, or call them to arrange a pick-up.
The final car washes will be held Sunday, July 10 and August 7.
The raffle prizes include a deluxe pedal car, A&W Bar stool sets and merchandise.
The staff are also selling $1 cut-outs again this year, hoping to cover every inch of the walls.
On the big day — August 25 — all A&Ws take part in the Cruise for a Cause, during which $1 from every Teen Burger sold is donated.
“This is going to be a great day of fun for everyone in Parksville and across Canada so come on out, help us raise a ton of money for this great cause,” Young said. “See lots of classic cars throughout the summer, gathering at the restaurant every Thursday evening, as well as on the big day and have lots of fun and good food.”
“I want that mustache off my husband,” she said.
Visit www.mssociety.ca or call 1-800-268-7582 to donate or for more info. Call the restaurant at 250-248-2040 to arrange a bottle pick-up.