St. Baldrick's head shaving event raises $20,000
Volunteers young and old raised $20,000 for childhood cancer research at The St. Baldrick’s Day Kingston head shaving event at Ulster Hose Fire Company No. 5’s firehouse on Sunday.
Andrea Sass, volunteer event organizer for the nationwide St. Baldrick’s Foundation, said donations far exceeded their original goal of $5,000.
“So many people have donated money, services, their time here. There’s been a great outpour of community support,” Sass said.
Sass credited this success to community support, which included more than 45 people who had their heads shaved.
“These people have found sponsors to sponsor them and raise money,” Sass said.
Among them was Brian Graham, of Palenville, who said he first volunteered for a St. Baldrick’s Day event 10 years ago when he was at his former job.
Now he said he came out to support the cause on his own.
Several local hair stylists volunteered their time and brought their shavers over from their salons.
M.J. Turner was among six stylists from Shear Excellence, a hair salon on Ulster Avenue in the town of Ulster, who were shaving.
As she prepared to shave the heads of Matthew and Luke Cooper, of Hurley, she said she decided to take part to raise money for a good cause.
“This is a about the community getting together and supporting each other,” Turner said.
Zach Swart, who beat childhood cancer three times, served as the St. Baldrick’s Ambassador and was supported by a “team” comprised of several members of the Centerville-Cedar Grove Fire Department who turned out to have their heads and beards shaved.
“It’s amazing,” Swart said. It’s great to see everybody and shaving,” Swart said.
“So many people have donated money, services, their time here. There’s been a great outpour of community support.” — Andrea Sass, volunteer event organizer for the nationwide St. Baldrick’s Foundation