There was something abuzz Saturday morning on Ella Court that will leave many in the community talking for some time.
That something was an event billed as Buzzing for Bellies, featuring one courageous local woman who cut off her long golden locks and buzzed her head clean all in the name of charity.
Andrea Lewis, who is affectionately known as Bubba to all, raised $11,586 for local charities, one of which, the Newmarket Food Pantry, will receive $10,409 of the proceeds to help those struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic to put food on the table.
Lewis’ sister, Juliane Goyette, a longtime food pantry volunteer and the organization’s treasurer, said the initiative was “near and dear to my heart”.
“My sister stepped up and decided to do this as her way to help others in need,” Goyette said, adding that Lewis is not one to covet the spotlight.
Lewis started Buzzing for Bellies with the intention of raising $800 for local food banks. Within 12 hours of posting the event on social media, she had raised $2,000.
This triggered a friendly Facebook challenge for Lewis to undergo a live "buzzing" of her hair if she was able to raise $6,000 in donations. The next day, donors had delivered just over $9,600 to the cause, and the live buzzing was on.
“She has brought people together and helped to feed many while doing so,” Goyette said.
Lewis’s husband, Brett, did the honours of cutting the locks and giving Lewis a clean-shaven head, while their children Colton and Scotlyn provided moral support.
Sister Goyette was there in support, along with many neighbourhood families who come out of their houses on Saturday mornings at 10:30 a.m. to sing O Canada so they can keep up with the once-daily routine of singing it in school.
