The staff and residents at the Oak Bay campus of Baptist Housing were in the pink for a fundraiser last week.
Residents and staff got into the theme as they dressed for the cause, an event started last year to raise money for breast cancer research.
“Our manager founded Dress for the Cause last year,” said activity manager Helen Dougherty. “A lot of the ladies like to have the opportunity to donate. We just made it a bit bigger and splashier this year.”
The event included pink treats and pink lemonade, a bake and craft sale and – the highlight – the opportunity to spray pink hair colouring on some of their neighbours, special guest Oak Bay Mayor Nils Jensen and Dougherty herself.
“As a team last year we raised money for breast cancer research because we do have a lot of breast cancer survivors here,” said Dougherty. “And because we had such a good response, we thought we’d go a bit bigger.
“A lot of our resident can’t get out to participate in events like this. So we just brought it to them.”
The event was well attended by many of the 176 residents in the independent and assisted living housing.
“The response has been fantastic,” said resident Lorine Reeder, who knitted several items for the fundraiser. “It’s amazing as to what people are giving. For it not to be open to John Q. Public, we’re doing very well.”
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