A local business has stepped up for an Innisfail girl who is raising money for kids’ cancer.
Mortgage Alliance - The Place to Mortgage has posted a link to the Nov. 1 Innisfail Province story outlining Rowan Jacques’ bid to raise money in support of Kids Cancer Care Alberta on its Facebook page. For every “like” the link receives, the Place to Mortgage will donate $1 to Jacques’ cause. They’ll also donate $1 to anyone who shares their page on FaceBook. To keep track, click on “Share Rowan’s story,” found on the side of their webpage.
Tanya Rogakczyk, a mortgage assistant with the Place to Mortgage, said she first became aware of Jacques’ fundraising for “Shave Your Lid for a Kid” after seeing the information on the Facebook page of Rowan’s mother, Tara.
Sarah Strauss, a consultant and one of the company’s owners, said she then saw the link on Rogalczyk’s page.
“I thought, ‘Wow, how can we help out?’” Strauss explained.
“She’s obviously a very special girl who’s going to do a lot in life.”
Jacques, a seven-year old Grade 2 student at École John Wilson Elementary School, seemed to be taking the attention in stride.
“It makes me feel really good,” she said of the Place to Mortgage’s support. “I’m really thankful.”
Her mom said the level of support has snowballed since Rowan first announced her intentions at the school’s Oct. 27 monthly assembly. Jacques is currently 15 per cent of the way to her goal of $2,500 in pledges. She will also shave her head at the school’s December assembly.
“This just started out as something that she just wanted to do,” Tara Jacques said, explaining that the level of support was “overwhelming.” “We’re extremely grateful that people are getting behind this. It’s so good to encourage kids, especially young kids, when they’re trying to make a difference.”
Three more students, two Grade 4 students at JWES and a student at Innisfail Jr./Sr. High School, have since joined Jacques’ group.
“I don’t know any of them,” Jacques said.
With a total of 117 people clicking “like” on the link as of Thursday afternoon, Strauss joked they might need a loan to keep up.
“We’re pretty excited,” Rogalczyk added. “I think it’s encouraging there’s that many that quickly.”
To “like” the link, go to https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mortgage-Alliance-The-Place-To-Mortgage/144590555607758. Jacques can also be pledged online by going to http://secure.csfm.com/kidscancer/shave/home/index.php, and then clicking on the “pledge a shavee” button. Jacques is registered under École John Wilson Elementary School.
