Walking for Evelyn: The Big Wigs
The Big Wigs are one of many teams that participate in the annual IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s. Nicole Fontaine and her family named their team after her mom, Evelyn Velcourt’s, old license plate: “Big Wigs.”
For the past three years, The Big Wigs have walked in honour of Evelyn, who lives with dementia, and Evelyn’s sister Claudette, who passed away from dementia. Altogether, they’ve raised over $3,000 to help support families impacted by the disease.
“I’m so proud of my mom, her legacy is amazing,” Nicole says. “She was always trying to move the needle for the community. She’s inspired me to give back, and the Walk is one way I can do that.”
Evelyn always worked hard. Owner of Evelyn’s Wig Sales and Services in Lorette, she was a prominent leader in the community and a member of several chambers of commerce. She was passionate about helping others and used her profession to do just that, wanting everyone who stepped out of her wig shop to feel empowered and confident. She even lobbied the Manitoba government to remove the PST from wig sales for those living with hair loss due to diseases like cancer or alopecia.
Now 78 years old, Evelyn often reminisces about her old workdays with Nicole. Dementia has affected Evelyn’s memories, but listening to Nicole share stories from her past makes her proud – and a little shocked.
“Wow, I did a lot of good stuff!” Evelyn replies.
To Nicole, the Walk is a reminder to take time for yourself as a caregiver, to connect with others around you for support and to care for your physical and mental well-being, no matter how hectic your schedule gets. “The Walk brings us hope. Initially, my family and I joined the Walk to do something positive for ourselves during a time when we were facing a lot of challenges and struggling with burnout,” Nicole says.
“It’s an opportunity to reflect and connect as a family while raising awareness for a cause that’s very personal to us.”
Just like her mom, Nicole wants to help others find empowerment and confidence – and she feels that the more people know about dementia and the supportive resources the Alzheimer Society provides, the better equipped they will be to care for others and themselves.
“I’ve had a lot of family support and the Society routinely calls to check-in and see if there’s anything we need, so I always feel like I have somewhere to turn,” Nicole says. “I want others to feel this way too and have access to the help they need.”