On June 6, Slave Lake firefighter Mitch Mann led a barbecue fundraiser and raised $1,100 for Movember , with supporters stopping by the No Frills parking lot for hamburgers and hotdogs in support of men’s health.

Mann says the event was the local group’s first barbecue of the year and marked another step in building support for Movember in the community. No Frills provided the food for the barbecue, helping Mann and his colleague turn a simple lunch sale into a fundraiser for a broader cause.

Movember is best known for its annual moustache-growing campaign, but the organization’s work goes beyond appearances. According to the Movember website, it funds projects focused on men’s health in Canada and around the world, including mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

Mann, who has been a “Mo Bro” for 10 years, says he wants people to understand how much good the organization does, especially in the area of mental health. He says the organization does a lot of good for everyone, not just men or firefighters.

“Movember is about prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health,” he says. “I want people to know how much good the organization does for everyone.”

Mann says the issue is especially meaningful within the fire service. Firefighters face increased concerns around both cancer and mental health, he says, but the support offered through Movember reaches beyond any one profession.

Mann has been with the Slave Lake Fire Department since 2022 and is captain of the team. Also helping at the event was his co captain, Bryan Verrault.

The June 6 barbecue will not be the last fundraiser this season. Mann says the group plans to partner with Mr. Mikes during Riverboat Daze, where they plan to serve Mikeburgers as part of another fundraiser for the cause.

For people who want to support the campaign but cannot attend an event in person, Mann says there are other ways to help.

He says the local initiative now has both Facebook and Instagram pages, and that support through social media interaction can also help spread the message and strengthen the campaign’s reach.

Mann is looking forward to future Movember events.

Sara Driedger
Lakeside Leader