Shiny happy people

Ilana Perera, Layne Wilson, Nadine Benson, Dave McMillan, Trevor Dakins (with bucket) and Marlo Perera hit the streets of Halifax seeking support of Cystic Fibrosis. (Bruce Bottomley Photo)

If you happened to take a walk down Spring Garden Road on Tuesday, you might have mistakenly thought the circus was in town. Acrobats, jugglers and musicians in a sea of colourful shirts, grass skirts and funny hats took over the city in support of Cystic Fibrosis.

For the past 46 years, students at universities across Canada have been participating in Shinerama to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis. Shinerama started with students shining shoes in exchange for a donation. These days, anything goes, as long as it’s safe and legal.

Shinearama is a long-standing orientation week tradition at Dalhousie. In 2003, Dal students teamed up with students from Mount Saint Vincent University and polished the HMCS Charlottetown, a Canadian warship, from stem to stern. To date, they hold the record for the largest object polished in support of Shinerama.

Both frosh and returning students alike participate in the high-energy fundraising event.

(In front) Brandon Toner, Kailyn MacEachern, Brittany Smith; Joel Bellefleur and John Gagnier. (Bruce Bottomley Photo)

Dal News hit the streets to find out what Shinerama means to Dalhousie students and why they choose to come out and show their support:

• “For people who have Cystic Fibrosis, their last years are often their university days. It’s such a great tradition at Dal and it’s great to keep it going. It doesn’t seem fair for those of us who are blessed with good health to not give our time and money. It’s an easy and fun way to save some lives, so why wouldn’t you do it?” – Elizabeth Croteau
• “A few years back a high school friend passed away from Cystic Fibrosis. I was really good friends with him and his family so I like to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis.”
  - William Perrett
• “It’s nice to help people. Lots of people have helped me out in my life. It’s nice to help out another person.” - Thomas Bagley
• “It’s a great way to meet people and a great cause. There are so many people affected by Cystic Fibrosis. It’s a condition we need to find a cure for. I also know people affected by it and their families. I know it’s a tough thing to go through.”- Alanna Langille
• “Why not? It’s not like it’s boring! We’re out having fun.”- John Gagnier