OSWEGO, NY – More than 125 volunteers will “Brave the Shave” this Sunday as they raise money to beat childhood cancers at this year’s 10th annual S. Baldrick’s Day in Oswego County.
This year’s event takes place at the Captain’s Quarters/Best Western Lake Ontario Event and Conference Center at 26 E. First St.
Head-shaving will begin at 1 p.m. and continue until 4:30 p.m. or so.
With more than $30,000 showing on this year’s website, the ten-year total of donations raised at Oswego events is more than $510,000.
Volunteer event organizer Dan Witmer has been involved since the first event in 2007, but he’s quick to give credit to others.
“What started as an Oswego State men’s lacrosse team-builder has snowballed into a county-wide event including support from Oswego firefighters, schoolchildren, other Laker teams and families and friends of children battling cancer, and the size and scope of our efforts has grown with the help of so many people,” he said.
Currently, some 22 separate teams have registered this year.
The leading fundraising team is Julian’s Army, named in memory of Julian Ross.
His brother, Brayden, leads all 122 shaves in most money raised.
The largest team is the Oswego State Men’s Lacrosse Team, with 31 members and two coaches registered to shave; their website shows more than $3,000 raised so far.
Approximately 16 local barbers and hair stylists will volunteer their services at Sunday’s event, and the fundraiser will also include raffle baskets and a silent auction.
“We’ve got ski packages, NFL, MLB, NHL, and NASCAR items, a fishing charter, Laker hockey items, and a lot more,” said Susan DiBlasi, a member of the St. Baldrick’s planning committee.
“Everyone is invited,” said Sandy Pike, who, with her husband Dom, has been involved in Oswego’s St. Baldrick’s fundraisers since the early days. “It’s an uplifting experience, just watching men and women, young and old, sit there and have their heads shaved in solidarity with sick kids.”
This year the planning committee decided to diversify its fundraising efforts, hosting multiple events throughout the year.
There was a Fajita Grill Night in January, and a Bunco Night and a chicken BBQ at Gibby’s Irish Pub in March.
On Monday night the Oswego Sub Shop hosted a St. Baldrick’s Night, and in May there will be a Julian’s Shamrock Kids’ Run and 5K.
June will offer a St. Baldrick’s Golf Tournament at Tamarack Golf Course and a Father’s Day Breakfast at the Oswego Masons.
To make a donation, register as a shavee or volunteer, or just learn more about the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, go to www.stbaldricks.org
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