One of the area's most active volunteers is at it again, shaving her head for the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock when the cyclists pass through town Sept. 24.
"It's only hair and it grows back, what the heck," said Joan Lemoine of her planned fourth head shave.
Lemoine has been an active volunteer with charitable groups and events around Parksville since moving here over a dozen years ago, including years as the Beachfest volunteer coordinator. She didn't shave her head last year and hadn't given it much thought this year until Ron Yates of Yates Funeral Home challenged her to do it and offered $500, she said.
"I wish I had more ways of getting people into this, for the kids, because doggonit they're our future," she said, challenging others to get involved or at least donate. "I can't think of any other way to help them than to do this, and I'm really lucky because I know a lot of people," she said, admitting she's not shy about using her wide social connections to help the good cause.
And while there isn't a local rider in this year's Tour de Rock, a 1,000-km ride down Vancouver Island to raise money for children's cancer initiatives, Lemoine said it doesnt't make it any less important and encouraged people to join her at the beer and burger night at the Quality Inn Bayside in Parksville.
The tour travels from Port Alice at the northern end of Vancouver Island on Sept. 19 to Victoria Oct. 2.
Tickets for the the Sept. 24 event are $20, available at the Quality Inn Bayside , Parksville Chrysler or any member of the Rotary Club of Parksville. There will also be a silent auction, inspiring stories and a chance to meet some of the riders.
"I just turned 85, how do I know if I'm going to be here next year, nobody knows. I just thought, I can do this," Lemoine said, adding people should donate before the event by dropping off a cheque at the Parksville Legion, Parksville Qualicum Beach News or city hall administration office.