Community Corner

Horsham Organizer Hopes Many Have Hair to Spare

'Shavees' are needed to make the annual St. Baldrick's Foundation head-shaving fundraiser at Chapman Horsham - Chrysler Jeep Dodge a success.

Horsham resident Carol Berger is grateful for the increased awareness and fundraising efforts for childhood cancer research.

But, at the same time, Berger, an organizer behind a local St. Baldrick's Foundation head-shaving event slated for March 16 at Chapman Horsham - Chrysler Jeep Dodge, worries that the over-abundance of like events is causing the number of her regular participants to dwindle.

Typically the childhood cancer fundraiser draws as many as 50 people interested in having their hair buzzed for the cause. This year, with about a week to go, 11 individual participants and two teams were registered. As of Wednesday night, less than 7 percent of Berger's $30,000 goal was attained, according to the event's signup and donation page.

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"The events are starting to pop up more and more in this area," Berger said, noting that similar head-shaving events are regularly held in Cheltenham, Doylestown and Jamison. "The more events we have the more awareness and recognition we have."

The St. Baldrick's Foundation's head-shaving fundraiser began with one event in 2000 and has since grown to more than 1,200 events in 2012, according to the organization's Web site. Last year alone, the foundation, through events similar to the one Berger is organizing, raised nearly $33.5 million to support childhood cancer research.

Find out what's happening in Hatboro-Horshamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Berger, who brought the first St. Baldrick's head-shaving event to Horsham in 2003, said she hopes more people will sign up to get clipped for the cause. 

Twice since the event's been in Horsham, Berger said a woman from Georgia has traveled there to donate her hair at a hair station and then have her head shaved. Each time she shaves her head for the cause Berger said she has the date tattooed in the back of her head, alongside an image of a cancer ribbon.

"That’s dedication," Berger said. 

If you go

The St. Baldrick's head-shaving event is slated for March 16 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Chapman Chrysler Jeep Dodge, 1100 Easton Road, Horsham. A fundraising beef and beer is scheduled for 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. that night. See attached flier for more details. 

 

 


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