The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
GIVING UP THE BEARD
The Rev. Chris Gaffrey has whiskers shaved for students’ fundraiser
WINSTED >> The Rev. Chris Gaffrey, sat in front of a boisterous group of St. Anthony School students Thursday afternoon to be shaved, giving up his beard to celebrate the students’ raising more than $12,000 for the school’s annual walk-a-thon event.
Gaffrey sat to be shaved in front of a group of students, who cheered in approval during the proceedings and chanted for his eyebrows to be shorn as well.
“It’s going to be cold,” Gaffrey said after the deed was done. “I’m used to the warmth.”
The walk-a-thon is an annual fundraiser for the St. Anthony school, according to Lynda Gambuzza, the school’s director of advancement, and has been termed the “Moving and Grooving” walk-a-thon this year.
To date, the student body has raised $13,500 during this year’s fundraiser — thus inspiring Gaffrey to shave his beard. If they raise $15,000, Gambuzza said, the school principal has agreed to be taped to the wall by the student council.
“This is a fundraiser that the students have an active hand in helping to raise funds for St. Anthony school,” said Gambuzza, noting that most other fundrais-
ers are conducted with the community and parents.
“It’s a nice one that the kids get behind,” said Gambuzza. “And they love it, and we love to see the enthusiasm.”
Students took part in a series of physical activities, including a danceoff and a conga line, Friday afternoon as part of the walkathon, Gambuzza said. Plans were moved indoors due to the Thursday snow.
“It’s a great event. This is one of our favorites,” said Gambuzza. “It’s a lot to put on, but we love it, because it’s the one (with) the children at the core of it. We just love seeing them smile.”
There will also be a “day of gratitude” celebration — termed “a big party” — held the day before Thanksigiving break in connection with the walk-a-thon event.