November 9, 2023, marked the end of a three-year chapter of adventures with the large Leucan family. In Deschaillons-sur-Saint-Laurent, where the headquarters of the sister banners GO Sport and POP Shoes are located, the Leucan Shaved Head Challenge event, presented by Proxim, took place, along with the presentation of the campaign check. The considerable sum of 24,248.36$ that was collected during October and then given to the Leucan association.
End of campaign: between magic and solidarity!
Thanks to the generosity and constant support of our loyal customers of POP Shoes and GO Sport stores, who seized every opportunity to show their commitment to children affected by pediatric cancer, we managed to reach our goal of donating more than of $110,000 in three years to Leucan. "We also want to express our deep gratitude to our teams for their dedication and mobilization throughout this campaign and these past three years. Their work has been at the heart of this success. It proves that we can have a positive impact when we unite, and all for a noble cause.", said André Côté, the general manager.
In the company of dozens of employees from the headquarters, franchisees of GO Sport and POP Shoes stores, a Leucan host, and the Skechers representative, an important campaign partner, the large check was unveiled showing the amount of 24,248.36 $. A moment that is always exciting and magical!
In three years, a significant amount of 113,750 $ that was raised and given to children affected by cancer and their families.
Skechers: the strength of a union
Recall that for this latest campaign, which took place during October 2023, an important partnership with Skechers helped raise donations for Leucan. Indeed, one dollar per Skechers product sold, shoe or clothing, went directly into the fund. This was in addition to the fact that the employees of POP Shoes and GO Sport stores offered customers the chance to purchase a Cocci-donation for $2, benefiting Leucan. "It is always a pleasure to support POP Shoes and GO Sport retailers during the Leucan campaign. For three years, we have proven that by teaming up, we go further." explained Stephan Frisko, Skechers representative in Quebec.
The Shaved Head Challenge
As part of the event, there was also a shaved head challenge. It was the third consecutive year for employees at the POP Shoes and GO Sport headquarters. In the first year, only one candidate raised their hand to undergo a transformation. The following year, it was three people, and for 2023, there were four brave participants. Each time, the number of interested people increases. In total, 8 people have accepted the experience since the beginning. Let's applaud the courage of the four most recent, Michelle, Donald, René, and Francis, who were paired with as many one-day hairdressers (Stéphanie - owner of the POP Shoes store in Plessisville! -, Sophie, Gabrielle, and Jonathan).
"A spark was lit last year when I saw colleagues getting shaved during our second Leucan year. When we received the invitation, I accepted immediately without hesitation. I knew it was time for me to show kindness.", explains Michelle Beaudoin, website manager. It must be said that she knows the Applicants well, namely Céline, Patrick, two of her colleagues, who are parents of Mégane. They were a Leucan family while their daughter faced illness during her teenage years. It was actually because of their sharing that we received the call to partner with POP Shoes and GO Sport stores to raise funds for children with cancer and their families.
In addition to submitting her application, Michelle also submitted her partner René’s so they could share the adventure together. "It's such a beautiful experience! I feel proud to contribute to this cause.", she told us, nevertheless nervous just hours before touching her shaved head.
Getting involved and giving back
All across the regions of Quebec, there is a local POP Shoes or GO Sport retailer. Already, each one's local involvement was significant and varied. For the past three years, their philanthropic actions have included support for Leucan, also Opération Enfant Soleil through the ticket sales campaign for the Maison Enfant Soleil sponsored by Bonneville, and finally support for the most recent back-to-school campaign by the Maman Dion Foundation. If we add up the funds raised over the past three years for these causes, the total is $424,614.36. which was collected and then redistributed to Quebec children. "Children represent our greatest collective wealth. For us, there is nothing more important than being there for them, guiding them if they face challenges, and then helping them continue to dream big.", concludes Manon Rivard, communications director for POP Shoes and GO Sport stores.
