St. Albert tattoo shop raising money and awareness for Edmonton military families

Fountainhead Tattoo in St. Albert is raising money for military families in Alberta. The shop is offering special military-inspired tattoos to support their cause. Co-founder Andy Monk says the community has played a huge role in her life. Well before the recent tragic fire at CFB Wainwright brought attention to the challenges military families face. These challenges and programs and support are always needed. They're needed more than ever right now with that many people injured and families who have lost people. My brother-in-law was in the waiting room before the accident happened So he was there before he went to his soldier qualification course. For those getting tattoos like Abigail Fry, this Remembrance Day feels different, and she wanted to give back to the troops. It brings massive awareness to not only the military community, but you can get a better understanding, you know, you can bond over getting tattoos. This is the shop's seventh annual Lest We Forget flash sale. The goal is to raise over $4,500 for the Military Family Resource Centre. This is a resource where the families can go and find community and engagement and it really helps in all aspects of military life and service. Monk's husband and co-owner of the shop, Edward Monk, served in Afghanistan in 2008. Her tattoo mentor also served in the military and they have many clients who belong to that community. I think there's a highlight. light on the sacrifice and what our active service members and veterans go through and all year long it's something that I think we need to remember. As for the tattoo artists all of them are donating their time towards this cause like Ivan Diaz who also served in the military. Any chance that there's a way to unite the community because I feel like it's a small but mighty group. It's nice to just do stuff for other people. The shop is also accepting food and monetary donations. Monk expects they will have to schedule overflow tattoo sessions because of how many people want to support this cause. Nicole Healy, CBC News, Edmonton.