Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (June 29/05) - Yellowknife has been all abuzz lately - the electric shaver has made its rounds and the hair has fallen.

A record number of residents decided to join the growing ranks of those willing to have their locks shaved off to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society, says Louise Elder-Riordan.

"In Yellowknife, we had approximately 60 people participate," Elder-Riordan said of the annual head shave that raised $65,000.

The on-stage head shave in front of Vixen Hair Den at Raven Mad Daze drew a crowd as about 50 people took their turn under the stylists' shavers. Collectively, they raised $53,400 during that segment of shaving.

"It's been the highest numbers we've ever had," she said.

Participants stepped forward as individuals who decided to shave their heads, or as representatives of several organizations, she said.

While some went for the cue ball look just because, others such as Corinna Mount, 10 - who raised $400 by having her long red ponytail trimmed off - had their hair cut to donate it so wigs can be made for cancer victims.

Randi Squires and Harley's Hard Rock Saloon raised more than $4,000 by donating her hair and then having her head shaved.

Individuals included Eugenio Orsi who raised $1,120 and had the distinction of being the first to have his head and beard shaved, Elder-Riordan said.

Other individuals included: Kevin LeDrew, who raised about $1,700; Skye and Suzanne Boucher raised more than $400 by donating their hair; Lisa Williams also donated her hair and raised $376; Yose Cormier raised $400; Donna Latremouille raised money by auctioning off her ponytails to be cut by her co-workers; and Stephen Gwilliam, who raised $1,200.

David Scott at Aven Manor raised $1,100 for his moment under the razor. City Hall also got into the shaving mode as Ron Scott of the IT department had his head, mustache and beard shaved for a total of $3,500.

"It was great, I was completely overwhelmed," Elder-Riordan said of the response.

And about $645 was raised by the military at Canadian Forces Northern Area when they had haircuts on Friday at Gary's Barber Shop.

The head shave's frenzied history began in Edmonton in 1994 with one police officer, Elder-Riordan said.

Upon meeting a five-year-old boy who was being teased at school because he had lost his hair due to chemotherapy, the officer gathered up some of his colleagues, went to the school and had his head shaved to show the children that being bald was "cool", she said.

"It gets bigger and better every year," she added.

"People just want to be part of it and want to show their support. Donations came from all over."