SUBMITTED PHOTO - Christine Bootland is cutting her long hair to raise money for musical scholarships in Southern Alberta.
rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com@MHNMcCracken
Christine Bootland has spent her whole life waiting for a moment like this.
The local cellist and music teacher has been growing out her hair for years and always said she would cut it off as a fundraiser one day. Then the world receded, public musical performances were put on hold, and Bootland decided it was finally time to cut it for a cause.
“I’m grateful in the past for all the help that I’ve gotten so this is my way of giving back,” said Bootland, who has started a GoFundMe campaign with a goal of $6,000, which will be donated toward scholarships with three charities that support music students in southern Alberta.
“I know I have a few students myself who have indicated they probably won’t be able to continue lessons because families have to put food on the table first. That makes me sad, especially when kids love it so much.”
Bootland – who teaches cello at the Medicine Hat College and Lethbridge College conservatories – stands five feet tall, and her hair touches her calves. As to how much of it will be removed, she says it depends how much ends up being raised.
“The more money I raise the more I’m going to cut off,” she said. “I think I’ll talk to a hairdresser and find out what style will suit my face.”
Bootland added she’s known by many for her lengthy locks, so when she launched her GoFundMe campaign Sunday, plenty jumped at the chance to support.
As of Friday afternoon, the page had raised $2,150 of her $6,000 goal through 33 donors. Donations have ranged from $20 to $100.
“Medicine Hat is a fantastic community for this, as well as a lot of old students and friends from childhood that have gone, ‘My god, you’re going to cut your hair? I am so donating,'” she said. “It’s been over 40 years of having long hair.”
All money raised will go toward providing scholarships through the Alberta Music Education Fund, the Medicine Hat Symphonic Society and the Lethbridge Young Artists Music Academy.
“The Lethbridge Academy is for gifted students, so I think they pay 30 per cent and we cover the other 70 per cent,” she said, adding Medicine Hat Symphonic Society scholarships are open to all instruments and voices. “It’s based solely on a parent’s income tax, if they meet the threshold they can get their lessons paid for. Then the Alberta Music Education Foundation, they cover all sorts of wonderful scholarships for kids.”
But the goodwill doesn’t stop there, as Bootland says all of her cropped hair will be donated to create wigs for cancer patients.
“I’ve always been benefitted by really nice, long hair and I’ve always kind of felt bad for a little girl or anybody suffering from cancer that may have always wanted long hair,” said Bootland. “The idea that my locks could possibly make somebody else happy? Great.”
While there is no deadline to meet funding, Bootland says she hopes to achieve her goal over the next few weeks so she can experience a full summer with short hair.
“This will be a whole new experience for me,” she said. “I’m worried I’m going to be a bobblehead without all this weight.”
Anyone interested in contributing to the cause can search Christine Bootland at gofundme.com.
