Hey guys…we just wanted to share this with you today. It is so amazing and we are touched!!!
ORANGEBURG — Several hundred men and boys flocked to the Dominican College’s Hennesey Center on Sunday to have their heads shaved and show support for St. Baldrick Foundation, a nonprofit that raises money to find a cure for childhood cancer.
At the spacious hall turned into a giant barber shop, a row of men and boys sat in chairs as barbers clipped their hair and ran buzzers over their scalps. Family members took photos and shouted encouragement as their locks fell to the ground.
By 2 p.m., about 275 shaves had been given and organizers expected to easily cross 300 in another hour, said event organizer Vinny Garrison, a technology teacher in the Nanuet school district. The event had also raised more than $75,000 online, with cash and checks from walk-ins in a large box that hadn’t yet been counted.
“You talk to a hundred families and 99 of them have had someone who has had something to do with cancer,” Garrison said, explaining the support. “Shaving your head is easy. Your hair will grow back.”
The event is one of hundreds held in March throughout the country. Almost $4 million has already been raised.
“Shavees” raise money by having friends and family from the community sponsor them by pledging a donation to have them shave their head.
Among the shavees Sunday was Cesar Tejeda, 11, a sixth-grader from Nanuet. He sat smiling uncertainly as a barber clipped his dark hair.
“It looks good, Cesar, it really does,” shouted Rahnee Hasenbalg, a family friend who had also brought her two sons, Jake, 12 and Zachary 10, for haircuts.
Cesar and Jake, who both attend A. MacArthur Bar Middle School in Nanuet, heard about St. Baldrick Foundation during band class and decided to sign up. On Sunday they said it was a great decision.
“Oh my God, oh my God, it feels so cool,” said Jake, running his hands over his scalp.
“It’s a nice experience,” said Cesar, “partly because I’m recognizing that kids with cancer don’t have an option. I’m showing appreciation for the kids that have cancer.
About 16 volunteer barbers participated in the event, much higher than the usual eight or nine who take part annually, said Garrison. This is the seventh year that the St. Baldrick Day event is taking place in Orangeburg.
Among the barbers working furiously was Calogero Zodiaco who runs the Larte Del Barbierre barbershop in Nanuet.
“I love doing this,” said Zodiaco. “It’s a good cause. It’s appreciation for kids that need help.”
http://www.lohud.com/article/20110314/NEWS03/103140322/-1/newsfront/About-300-their-heads-shaved-help-kids-cancer
