Community Leaders Will Cut Their Hair Oct. 23

Clayton Fire Chief Lee Barbee and several local firemen will be joining dozens more residents and community leaders in shaving their heads here Oct. 23 to help raise money for childhood cancer research.

It's the second annual St. Baldrick's Foundation fundraising event.

Last year's event raised more than $62,000 and left dozens of bankers, businessmen, sports figures, firemen, policemen and public officials, including Councilman Michael Grannis and Town Manager Steve Biggs, without their hair.

"I don't look so bad bald," Grannis said, though he donned a baseball cap last year a few minutes after losing his hair. "What great fun, and what a great crowd watching. And what a great cause."

This year's event will begin at 3 pm at the Flipside Restaurant downtown, and dozens have already signed up to lose their hair, many for the second straight year. Hundreds are expected to crowd into downtown to watch.

Police Chief Glen Allen, who will be out of town this weekend, got his hair cut earlier this week.

"I kind of jumped the gun since I won't be here on Saturday," the Chief said. "I didn't want to miss out on such an important fundraiser."

The event, which drew a huge crowd last year, was the idea of local businessman Rob Baker, whose son Bo was diagnosed with a form of kidney cancer. He said being thrust into the world of cancer treatment and research "has been quite an eye opener" and led him to take more of an active role in helping children stricken with the disease.

Local barbers and beauticians did most of the cutting last year, though occasionally a wife or girlfriend stepped forward as a "guest" barber.

"Thirty five years ago I joined the Clayton Fire Department, because I wanted to help my Community," Chief Barbee said. "Today, I still believe in helping out in the Community. That is why we are back at it again this year. Please support me and the Clayton Fire Department team as we shave our heads to support Bo and other children."

St. Baldrick's is the world's largest volunteer-driven fundraising event for childhood cancer research. Thousands of volunteers shave their heads in solidarity with children with cancer, while requesting donations of support from friends and family. In the last nine years, events have taken place in 48 of the 50 states and in 18 countries around the world, raising over $50 million for research, and shaving more than 72,000 heads, including more than 100 in Clayton.

Residents are being encouraged to visit the St. Baldrick's Foundation website at www.stbaldricks.org/events/flipside for more information, to view a short video presentation of last year's event and to volunteer to lose their hair this year--and join the thousands who will be donating.