A hairy proposition
Pub Crawl will help fight childhood cancer
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Jason Fitch will be sporting a whole new look this Sunday.
Since October he and his brothers, Patrick and Adam, have been growing beards for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation to combat childhood cancer.
But Jason plans to color his beard white to resemble St. Nick for Sunday’s “Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl,” which also benefits the charitable cause.
“We meet here at 5 p.m. and go to five other downtown bars, about 45 minutes each,” said Fitch, who owns Saratoga City Tavern, at 21 Caroline St., with his brothers. “Each time we go to a different bar we blow a loud air horn. It gives business to everybody.”
Each year, the “Crawl” benefits a different charitable cause. Franklin Community Center was last year’s recipient.
This year it’s St. Baldrick’s. To take part, people come to the tavern and buy a red or green winter hat for $20 before heading out on the town. All proceeds benefit the foundation.
The “Crawl” is one of several St. Baldrick’s fund-raising activities that will conclude on March 9 at the tavern, when people growing beards and long hair will go there for a razor close shave.
“On March 10 we’re going to start growing our beards for next year,” Jason said.
Nationwide, more than 56,000 men and women had their beards and heads shaved last year, which raised $ 33.3 million. The foundation has awarded more than $ 100 million in grants, including a recent one for $ 29,900 to Albany Medical College.
Infrastructure grants provide resources to institutions, enabling them to conduct more research and enroll more kids in clinical trials.
The Fitches began collecting donations at the tavern this fall and netted $1,100 in the first six weeks alone. Their Saratoga City Tavern Team has 14 members, and each one has been collecting pledges.
Steve and Becky Cook of Saratoga Springs began raising money for St. Baldrick’s Foundation several years ago in memory of Becky’s late cousin, Danny Canary of Saratoga Springs, who passed away from cancer.
The “shave- off” is held close to St. Patrick’s Day because Canary’s birthday was in March. The first year they got $10,000.
“Last year it was up to $51,000,” Steve Cook said. “Our goal this year is $75,000.”
St. Patrick’s Day is a busy time for tavern owners. However, Cook said the Fitches have been very supportive since he first approached them.
“They jumped in since day one and have been creating new things to help out,” he said. “They’re a great bunch of guys.”
For information about St. Baldrick’s Foundation, go to: stbaldricks.org.
All are invited to attend the pub crawl Sunday.