Boys hold fundraiser for foundation aiding young cancer victims, including a classmate.
By: Kara Fitzpatrick
MONTGOMERY A handful of Montgomery Youth Lacrosse Club members will take the field with considerably shorter hair after a head-shaving session Saturday.
But these athletes weren’t just generating team spirit or trying to revamp their look they were raising money to benefit the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, an organization with a mission of raising awareness and money to conquer childhood cancer.
They have opted for the new hairdos to support a friend and Montgomery Middle School classmate who was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease.
Because of the ensuing treatment, "We all thought he was going to be bald and lose his hair," said Jon Bryant, 13, who spearheaded the event. "So we thought we could be (bald), too."
So far, Jon and five of his teammates Badgor Internoscia, Justin Rocker, Rudy Butler, Marcel Zimanyi and Charlie Williams have raised $1,200. The overall goal of the eighth-grade lacrosse team is to raise $2,500.
His mother, Jean Bryant, hosted the event at the family’s home, where donations were accepted for each bald head.
"The boys just felt that it was an easy thing for them to do," Ms. Bryant said.
Although Jon hasn’t been in touch with his friend since the weekend fundraiser, he said, "I think he thought it was pretty cool."
Ms. Bryant said her son’s new look is drastically different from the style he had before this weekend.
"My son had really long hair," she said, describing it as shoulder-length. "We had to cut it first, then buzz it."
Even if the change is noticeable, the boys seem to be enjoying their new styles.
"They love it," Ms. Bryant said. "This time of year, it’s just easier, especially to play lacrosse."
Her son voiced his agreement in typical teenage fashion. "I kinda like it, actually," he said.
Will the boys keep their short looks or let their hair return to its former length?
Jon said he plans to get a Mohawk this summer but that look doesn’t exactly excite mom.
"We’ll see about that," Ms. Bryant said, laughing, after hearing of her son’s plans.
St. Baldrick’s was founded in 2000 by a group of business executives who, instead of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in a traditional way, decided to assist children with cancer by enlisting volunteers to shave their heads in public. In return, supporters donate funds with each bald head.
On St. Patrick’s Day more than five years ago, the founding members of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation declared a goal of $17,000. Now, more than 5,000 volunteers have assisted the foundation in raising about $7 million to benefit CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation.