Carmen Cornelius, owner of Carmen’s Bigway Foods in Crossfield, has started a Movember campaign that he hopes will raise money for the Crossfield Fire Department's Christmas food hamper program.
“I like to give back somehow,” Cornelius said. “I like to be a part of something that is small but could possibly have a big impact.”
With the pandemic leaving many in need, he said he wanted to do his part to make sure locals will receive the Christmas hampers. Through the hamper program, the fire department collects donations from bins around Crossfield, which are then distributed to families in need.
Until Dec. 12, Cornelius will accept donations at his store to support people in need. Cornelius will also match every donation.
“We also want to get the money to any senior that needs help,” he said.
In addition, some of the money will be used for gift cards at the grocery store, which Cornelius will discretely distribute to those who need them the most.
“It goes a long way,” Cornelius said. “We are trying to find different ways to help out here.”
The goal of the Movember campaign – which originally started in Australia in 2003 – is to grow a moustache for the month of November, while raising funds and awareness about prostate cancer. According to Movember.com, 30 people participated in the first year of the campaign and no money was raised. In 2020, 23 countries are officially participating in the initiative, which has funded more than 1,250 men’s health projects.
While Cornelius hasn't grown a moustache since the 1980s, he said the initiative is a fun way for people to get involved. The moustache growing started on Nov. 1 and runs the entire month.
"I get lots of comments, it has been good," Cornelius said.
Rather than men’s health projects, Cornelius thought it would be beneficial to give back to people in the community who need it during a time when many people are struggling.
Cornelius has owned the grocery store for 24 years. The store has been a fixture in Crossfield, and Cornelius is known to locals for finding ways to give back to the community he loves.
“My kids grew up here, went to school here,” he said. “I just love this community. I am just a Crossfield boy.”
Cornelius said the desire to support his community is in his DNA.
“My dad was a giver,” he said. “I am kind of following in his footsteps. It is important to me. If you don’t support your own community, what do you have?”
Although he likes to conduct his giving behind the scenes, Cornelius said he wants Crossfield to see the importance of being involved in the community.
“Whether it is giving to keep programs going or volunteering your time, that is what I want young people to see,” he said. “Who is going to teach young people how to give back to the community they were raised in? That, to me, is important.”
For anyone interested in donating to Cornelius’ Movember campaign, he said cash can be given at the store or donations may be made via debit at a cash register upon checkout.
“Every little bit helps,” he said.
Jordan Stricker, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @Jay_Strickz
