Fundraiser to support respite, camp programs offered by Children's Autism Services of Edmonton
For the second year in a row, a local salon is leading an autism fundraising and awareness campaign.
The money raised by Beaners, a brand that specializes in children's hair cuts, will benefit Children's Autism Services of Edmonton, which offers respite support for parents and a summer camp for kids with autism.
"These types of programs are not funded through traditional sources," the agency's Scott Wilson told CTV News Edmonton.
"So this allows us to have the funding that we need to be able to go and buy the equipment, create the programs and give those kids that little bit of a step into the community."
Beaners says it became involved with the advocacy and fundraising work because it understands that parents sometimes need a helping hand.
"With my son being on the spectrum as well, I can understand where they’re coming from," Fallon Grant, a stylist at Beaners Fun Cuts in St. Albert, said.
"I play with the kids. I just get it."
"You can tell she knows what she's doing," commented Bryan Rubio, whose son Max was diagnosed with autism at three years old.
Hair cuts can be a stressful experience for people with autism, given the sensations of the clippers and wet hair, Wilson explained.
"She’s got more experience with kids like this so it’s a perfect place for them," Rubio said of Beaners.
Rubio uses the respite services provided by Children's Autism Services of Edmonton and says the program is a great relief.
"We have a respite that comes in three hours a week. Three hours a week is a big difference to take a breather," he told CTV News Edmonton.
The campaign runs until the end of April, which is Autism Awareness Month.
Children's Autism Services of Edmonton estimates one in 66 children will be diagnosed with autism.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Amanda Anderson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.
Woman, 18, killed by co-worker's vehicle on Highway 1 in Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw police say an 18-year-old woman who was at work has died from injuries she sustained in a collision with a vehicle being driven by her co-worker last Thursday.