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Orangeville Police surpass $10k goal in Cops for Cancer fundraiser

June 1, 2018   ·   0 Comments

By Jasen Obermeyer

The Orangeville Police Service (OPS) 2018 Cops for Cancer successfully raised over $10,000 for the special event, where again the community came together to donate to a worthy cause.

With the beautiful, warm, and sunny weather, the event took place outside Orangeville Town Hall on Saturday (May 26). 14 officers, including Police Chief Wayne Kalinski, had their heads and beloved mustaches shaved by Councillor Nick Garisto and one of his daughters, Nella Robidoux, to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society.

“It’s important for the Orangeville Police to step up and support the community, and what a better way than to show our support by shaving our heads and raising funds,” said Chief Kalinski.“I was holding out until we achieved our goal, hoping that I would have to shave my head because of the funds raised.”

The first Cops for Cancer program started in 1994 when Sergeant Gary Goulet, an Edmonton police officer with a shaved head, posed for a picture with a young cancer patient. The officer wanted to support the boy, who was being ridiculed at school because of his hair loss.

When Constable Scott Davis announced that they surpassed their $10,000 goal, it received a roaring applause from members of OPS and residents, which Chief Kalinski said “is fabulous.”

To date, the Canadian Cancer Society Cops for Cancer program has raised more than $45 million across Canada.

“We’re really engaged with our community,” added Chief Kalinski, who thanked everyone for turning up and donating. “Great community support, great support from the OPS members.”

Councillor Garisto also thanked everyone for their support, explaining he didn’t just do itfor the money, revealing that one of his daughters was diagnosed with cancer, but survived, though the doctors said she would probably not have kids from the chemotherapy.

“Guess what? She proved them wrong. She’s got two beautiful kids,” he said to those in attendance.

He told the Citizen that he was so pleased that everybody came together, especially in surpassing the goal, as it is for a great cause. “I knew we were going to do great, but I didn’t think we were going to do this great.”

“It’s just great, the generosity of our community,” added Constable Davis. “I see it all kinds of times.”

He explained that even though this is a small thing for them to do, it speaks to the town’s support for the OPS. “We’ve got a very supportive community for our services, and the officers really appreciate that.”


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