After raising $30,000 last year, organizers of Woodstock High School’s St. Baldrick’s Foundation event hope to double that amount this year.
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity that funds more childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government. Essentially, each event is organized by local businesses, individuals and organizations. At the events, people volunteer to shave their heads in return for donations. Other volunteers, such as shavers, are needed to complete the events.
WHS will host two events — one geared toward community members and the other toward students and faculty.
“There was so much support last year, but a lot of people couldn’t make it [to the event],” said WHS Principal Corey Tafoya. During the 2011 fundraiser, the school hosted an assembly at the end of the school day, when many community members were at work.
This year, a community event will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 15, in the Jim Shipley Gymnasium.
“Anyone who signs up can come in at any time for that event,” Tafoya said.
By offering a later event, Tafoya said he hopes to draw church groups, local organizations, businesses and individuals. He said, because the event is specifically geared toward people outside the school, residents may be more comfortable getting involved.
“We’re trying to figure out how to keep up the sizzle,” Tafoya said.
From 2:45 to 3:15 p.m. Friday, March 16, WHS will host an event for the school community, which will include local “celebrities.”
Tafoya said last year’s event and the excitement in the school leading up to it was “unlike anything [he’s] ever experienced.” The school initially hoped to raise $5,000, but ended up with six times that amount.
“We really didn’t know what to expect,” he said.
Tafoya said he remembered one female student was debating whether or not she would cut her hair. She agreed to do so if she could raise $50 during her lunch period.
“We were able to raise about $125 in about three minutes,” Tafoya said. “She walked up right then and got her hair cut.”
To sign up or donate to the event, visit www.stbaldricks.org.
Last year alone, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation raised about $28.4 million. Since 2005, they have raised about $78.8 million.