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Story & Photos by Brenda Lentsch
It’s easy to see how many dedicated and generous people there are in the Commack Schools, just look at their heads! The Commack School District raised almost $80,000 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, with 305 shavees, 125 volunteers, and 12 hairstylists participating in the March 16 event.
Team “North Ridge Primary School” raised over $14,000, with $12,000 in online donations, and over $2,100 in change and bills collected throughout the school. The team was led by school psychologist James Fawcett, and made up of 25 current kindergarten through second grade students, former North Ridge students, and a parent.
Jim said, “I am extremely proud of my team and the people that supported them. I was genuinely moved by the number family members, friends, and teachers who were there to support the young boys as they became heroes. They came together to make a difference in the lives of children suffering with cancer. I know they have made a difference in mine.”
Last year, teacher Jennifer Siebert shaved her head, which drew huge crowds and generated many supporters. This year, one very determined little girl, Jeannemarie Hildebrandt, a fourth grader from Sawmill Intermediate School, was brave enough to shave off her long hair. Accompanied by her dad, her best friend Kylie, and teacher assistant Kristen Zaccaro, she did a doubly wonderful good deed by donating her 10” ponytail to Locks for Love, and then shaving off the rest of her lovely locks. Jeannemarie also raised $400 because, “A lot of people in my family died of cancer, and I wanted to do something to support them.”
According to one of the event organizers, Lee Tunick, a teacher at the high school, “We raised approximately $80,000, and donations are still coming in. We’ll have a final total from St. Baldrick’s in a few weeks. Last year, at our second event, we raised over $53,000 to help conquer kids’ cancer.” Lee’s favorite saying is, “Together, we can accomplish great things!” He continued, “And as you can see … we believe that all things are possible! Even a cure for children’s cancers!”
For all the photos from the event, click here. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation makes grants to research institutions to find new cures for childhood cancer, and to find treatments to ensure a better quality of life for patients and survivors. The Foundation funds research projects conducted by established pediatric cancer experts, as well as younger professionals who will be the experts of tomorrow. Funds also enable hundreds of local institutions to participate in national pediatric cancer clinical trials, offering the best available care for every child. For more information about St. Baldrick’s, please call 1.888.899.BALD or visit www.StBaldricks.org.
Photos above Left: Team North Ridge Primary School as they waited in line to get shaved!
Photo above right: Team North Ridge after their buzz cuts.
Photo above (in article): Jeannemarie donated her hair to Locks for Love as well as raising $400 and shaving her head.
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