Men’s health throughout the month of ‘Movember’ are on the thoughts of Tiny Township council and fire and emergency services for good reason, as triumphing over Toronto for a fourth consecutive year could mean big wins for the charity.
Movember is a fundraising campaign held each November to raise awareness and support towards prostate cancer, testicular cancer, men’s mental health, and suicide prevention. The charity initiative involves the growth of moustaches and use of temporary moustache tattoos as a visual mark, and includes donation drives and inspiring motivational activities like running as a means to show support from everyone involved.
Deputy Mayor Sean Miskimins shared the importance of addressing the stigma around men’s health.
“I think it's a really important thing for men's health and removing the stigma and conditioning,” said Miskimins. “Men aren't used to going to the hospitals out there; aren’t used to going to see doctors. They’re taught at a young age: ‘if something is wrong, just walk it off’. So much of it is preventable… when they feel a pain or an ache and something doesn’t feel right, go get yourself checked out.
“There’s a huge stigma about how guys can’t talk about mental health issues, and all too often it ends in tragedies,” he added. “I think we need to reduce the burden and know that everybody has a friend out there – I’m sure they’d rather pick up the phone at 4:00 a.m. and have a conversation than get a call at 9:00 a.m. saying they're no longer here.”
Miskimins, a long-time participant for the charity event, raised over $1,300 by shaving his head during last year’s efforts.
In 2023, the Southern Georgian Bay Firefighters team raised over $55,000 for the global drive, placing them ahead of Durham ($36,600), Northumberland ($25,800), and Toronto ($25,400) in the rankings.
“This year our goal is a little bit lower,” said Coun. Steffen Walma. “We’re trying to be realistic (with a) $45,000 mark. But even if we hit that, we’re still leaps and bounds ahead of our competition and I think we’re up to the task.”
In the friendly 97-team competition of the Great Canadian Fire Challenge, the SGB Firefighters were in first place with $4,300 in donations after Week 1 leaderboard results were posted, followed by Toronto Firefighters L3888 in second place with $3,000 in donations. Last year, the challenge collected $558,000 total from all teams.
Previous team captain Samantha Barnett had taken to co-captain status for this year’s challenge alongside Ky Winstanley-Hayes, with $3,500 being raised during a September charity golf tournament.
“In the past it’s been very volunteer-heavy,” said Walma, acknowledging that availability and commitment would shift this year’s focus. “We’re really leaning into the grass roots.”
Utilizing the Movember-themed wrap of the Pump 6 spare fire truck as well as the town utility van, Fire Chief Dave Flewelling said that firefighters would be shaking boots for donations at Walmart and the Great Canadian Superstore throughout the month.
When asked how the firefighting team would fare against Toronto, Mayor Dave Evans offered: “We’re going to shave them clean.”
Information on how to contribute to the Southern Georgian Bay Firefighters team for Movember, or joining or sponsoring the golf tournament, can be found on the Tiny Township website.
