Winnipeg’s Birchwood Kia hosted a fundraiser that netted $6,000 for CancerCareManitoba in honor of Martin Olafson, the dealership’s long-time maintenance man who succumbed to the disease earlier this year.
“There were so many things he did that we just never noticed,” said Shayne Rankin, general manager. After he passed away, staff were often asking — who did that? The answer was often “I guess Martin must have done that.”
Rankin said: “He was really the glue that kept us together.”
Olafson would no doubt have had a good chuckle over the fundraising event which featured $5 haircuts and family-friendly activities such as a bouncy castle, hot-dogs, refreshments. And, of course, a special challenge by Rankin.
Rankin pledged he would shave his head if his staff and others members of the auto group could raise $2,000. The Friday evening before the Sunday fund-raiser the group had raised $2,001 and “the Seventies mop” that Rankin had been growing out in anticipation of a $5 haircut was doomed.
The close shave came just before his one-year anniversary celebration with his wife. “She has forgiven me,” he said, “As it was for a good cause.”
Rankin said the support from the community for the event was gratifying as in total, $3,000 was raised and the dealership pledged to meet the tally. But, he also learned some lessons from the event.
“We could have sold probably four cars that day,” he said, “But, the event was not about sales.” It was about the fundraiser, said Rankin and “giving back” to the community and building relationships.
Rankin said that he hopes the dealership will be able to do more of these events to help worthy causes in the community.
