LITTLE CURRENT— Following on a highly successful Dress for the Cause breast cancer fundraiser last year, the Little Current United Church Outreach Committee has turned its sights on the guys with a November 1 Movember Luncheon to take place at the church hall.
“Last year we held a Dress for the Cause event that was quite successful,” said organizer Gail Gjos of Sheguiandah. “This year the thought was that we would focus on the gentlemen—fair’s fair. That is what prompted us.”
All profits from the event will be going to prostate cancer research, noted Ms. Gjos, and the cost of the luncheon includes a Movember T-shirt. “The colours of the Movember movement are orange and black,” said Ms. Gjos. “So the T-shirts are orange with a black mustache.”
Those without mustaches of their own to sport need not fear, the organizers have secured little stick-on mustaches to help you fit right in.
“This will not be as flamboyant as the Dress for the Cause event,” said Ms. Gjos, noting that the motif was more in keeping with the men’s somewhat more demure demeanor, but that it was important to put a spotlight on prostate and testicular cancer. “There are at least three gentlemen in our congregation who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. It is an important issue.”
The menu has been designed with men in mind as well. “We are serving a man-friendly meal of chili, raw veggies and dip along with a special dessert,” she said, placing visions of tiny mustachioed cupcakes dancing in our heads.
Movember originated in 2003, when Australians Travis Garone and Luke Slattery came up with the idea over a quiet beer in Melbourne. With the help of 30 of their friends the duo sought to bring the mustache back into fashion while raising money for a good cause. By 2004 the group had expanded to 480 Mo Bros and Mo Sistas and had raised $50,468. Today, Movember events have expanded into 22 countries, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Hong Kong, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the US, with almost five million participants.
Since its humble beginnings in 2003, Movember has raised more than $677 million and funded more than 832 men’s health projects.
The Little Current United Church Movember Luncheon is sponsored by the United Church Outreach Committee and will take place at the United Church Hall in Little Current at 11 am on November 1. Admission is $10.
