EDMONTON - Instead of pocketing their tips and wages Saturday, about 30 exotic dancers will hand the cash over to help kids in need.
The Strip-a-Thon is a tradition at the X Bar strip club in the Yellowhead Motor Inn, spanning almost a quarter century.
Independent Artists waived the dancers' fees for the event, and in turn the girls will hand over everything they make that day, with cash going toward the 100.3 The Bear Children's Fund.
Over the years, the radio station has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to children's hospitals, schools and youth shelters.
"All of us have done so well over the past years, and it's our way of giving back to the community," said Shannon Pederson, with X Bar.
"A lot of the girls have really busy schedules, and so this is their small way of donating to the (holiday) spirit."
Last year, the event raised $3,200, and the girls are hoping to match and exceed that this year.
Nam Singh, who goes by Miss Kitty, is just one of the dancers that will be baring it all Saturday.
It's her 10th go around, and she said the girls never tire of doing their part to help those in need.
"We all really look forward to it. In an industry that is all women, a lot of us are moms and have kids," she said, adding that she can relate as she has kids of her own.
"As a parent, you want to do the best you can. But for some families in Edmonton, it's a choice between having food to eat and presents under the tree."
Yellowhead Inn general manager Ted Gardiner brought the idea with him when he came to Edmonton from Vancouver in the early 1990s.
Proceeds from cover charge, private dances, and tips will all go to charity.
The 24th annual Strip-a-Thon runs from noon to 2 a.m. Saturday at the X Bar in the Yellowhead Motor Inn.
Strippers bare all for children's charity | Canada | News | Toronto Sun
That's the spirit. ;-)
The Strip-a-Thon is a tradition at the X Bar strip club in the Yellowhead Motor Inn, spanning almost a quarter century.
Independent Artists waived the dancers' fees for the event, and in turn the girls will hand over everything they make that day, with cash going toward the 100.3 The Bear Children's Fund.
Over the years, the radio station has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to children's hospitals, schools and youth shelters.
"All of us have done so well over the past years, and it's our way of giving back to the community," said Shannon Pederson, with X Bar.
"A lot of the girls have really busy schedules, and so this is their small way of donating to the (holiday) spirit."
Last year, the event raised $3,200, and the girls are hoping to match and exceed that this year.
Nam Singh, who goes by Miss Kitty, is just one of the dancers that will be baring it all Saturday.
It's her 10th go around, and she said the girls never tire of doing their part to help those in need.
"We all really look forward to it. In an industry that is all women, a lot of us are moms and have kids," she said, adding that she can relate as she has kids of her own.
"As a parent, you want to do the best you can. But for some families in Edmonton, it's a choice between having food to eat and presents under the tree."
Yellowhead Inn general manager Ted Gardiner brought the idea with him when he came to Edmonton from Vancouver in the early 1990s.
Proceeds from cover charge, private dances, and tips will all go to charity.
The 24th annual Strip-a-Thon runs from noon to 2 a.m. Saturday at the X Bar in the Yellowhead Motor Inn.
Strippers bare all for children's charity | Canada | News | Toronto Sun
That's the spirit. ;-)