“I think everybody has connections to our local hospital—every student, every family member, every employee.” – Louise Benson
Beauty students at Prince Albert’s Saskatchewan Polytechnic on Friday raised money for the Victoria Hospital Foundation’s Give a Little Life Day.
The campaign on Dec. 6 is fundraising for new cardiac equipment: A portable digital radiography x-ray machine, telemetry units and two Echo ultrasound beds.
The Salon and Spa offers services including haircuts, shampooing, styling and treatments, as well as brow waxing, eye lash and brow tinting, facials and basic manicures and pedicures. Because the students don’t get paid, the Salon and Spa offers the services at a discounted price to cover the cost of supplies.
On Friday, 50 per cent of their sales went to the Victoria Hospital Foundation.
Louise Benson is the head of the hairstyling, skin care and nail technician programs. Although she couldn’t go into details, she said they have a student with a personal connection to cardiac health.
“Maybe that’s why we want to help out so much,” said Benson.
She added the community is an important part of their programming as students rely on members of the public to learn.
“This was an awesome opportunity for us to provide services back to our community,” she said.
“I think everybody has connections to our local hospital—every student, every family member, every employee. If we can find any way to provide something back to the hospital, we’re going to try and do it.”
They also accepted donations from staff and students. Donations of $20 and over were issued a tax receipt.
Raylene McGillivary was colouring hair for her first client at the fundraiser. She reflected on the large group of people who will benefit from the equipment.
“I’m happy they’re getting new equipment so future generations and who’s currently in there right now can deal with (cardiac failure),” she said.
“My family, we deal with the hospital a lot.”
Benson said the hairstyling program accepts new students twice a year: one intake runs from August to June and the other from January to December. For the first part of the program, the students learn on mannequins and their family members.
“When they move to the front there’s definitely a fear in their ability and their skills,” said Benson.
“It’s a fantastic confidence build in the students to know that they can learn and in a years time, 11 months, they can go out and have a very valid career and become very income earning. I think that is a little bit misunderstood in the career.”
The Salon and Spa was mostly booked up for the fundraiser.
Benson said they offer services year-round. They do accept walk-ins, but she recommends making an appointment in advance by calling (306) 765-1590.
