Zombies may want to eat your brain, but they also want to create a future without breast cancer. We’re thrilled at how creative these guys and ghouls got to raise awareness!
Zombie Car Wash, Photo by Dannielle Jennifer Oswell.
Zombies have a long tradition of community service.
Haitian folklore tells of voodoo sorcerers turning criminals into mindless zombies, where they would be put to work in the fields. It was in this vein that the idea for a Zombie Car Wash for charity was born.
When I first proposed the idea of the wash to my publisher at SEE Magazine he was skeptical, and told me before I started asking for money to cover insurance and permits that I would have to get others on board first.
Admittedly, the idea that any charity would want to be openly associated with zombies was a shot in the dark at best. There were of course concerns that people might find the situation insensitive.
However, I decided it was worth asking.
To my surprise the oddball idea picked up momentum with everyone I spoke to.
Shane Walker of the River City Zombie Committee (RCZC) was the first on board.
Since 2007, he has been organizing RCZC events including their annual zombie walks, picnic and prom. Last fall’s zombie walk saw close to 400 ghouls show up to limp and bleed through town, and Walker jumped at the opportunity to incorporate yet another event to the committee’s line up.
After a quick discussion, Walker and I settled on May 1 for the wash. The date made sense as the RCZC Zombie Picnic was already scheduled for that afternoon, so we expected a good turn out from the horde.
With the zombies on board it was time to secure a location. After a few brainstorm sessions it was decided that the TransAlta Arts Barns would work perfectly if we could get our hands on a road closure permit to commandeer the alleyway between the Arts Barns and Gazebo Park, the traditional rally point for RCZC events.
Mike Ford from Fringe Theatre Adventures was more than happy to help. He gave us the go ahead to use the Arts Barns as a staging area, and even went as far as to provide the water and hoses we needed.
Murray’s Soap Factory was also a dream to work with as they immediately offered us soap, buckets and rags. With the Soap Factory on our side we were officially equipped to put on the wash. However, I was still a little worried that the gory spectacle wouldn’t be taken seriously by charities.
Once again I was pleasantly surprised to discover my worries were for nothing. Both the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and Edmonton’s Food Bank leapt at the opportunity.
With everyone on board the only thing left was to secure $2 million in public liability insurance and a road closure permit, and considering the overwhelming support from my cohorts my publisher came through with the insurance and permit cash.
I’m still not sure what it is about the idea that makes it so contagious. But if the car wash proved anything it’s that people love zombies.
I’m not sure our volunteers expected the operation to be such a busy spectacle. As soon as the wash opened cars began lining up, and continued to drive through for three straight hours. I don’t think our volunteers expected to work so hard. But despite being wet and tired the event was an absolute blast as people laughed, cried and screamed as their vehicle was mobbed by an unruly swarm of rotting marauders.
In the end, we managed to raise more than $1,400 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and 90 kilograms of non-perishables for Edmonton’s Food Bank.
The positive feedback and attention has planted the seed to continue this event and even expand it next year to incorporate more of a festival atmosphere. Stay tuned for more details.
- Andrew Paul
Want to do your part to create a future without breast cancer? Join us October 3, 2010 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure.