Hundreds of people crowded into downtown Saturday to watch their friends--and several community leaders--lose their hair and raise more than $50,000 for childhood cancer research in Clayton's first St. Baldrick's Foundation fundraising event.
The line of bald heads included bankers, businessmen, sports figures, firemen, policemen and public officials, including Councilman Michael Grannis and Town Manager Steve Biggs.
"I don't look so bad bald," Grannis said, though he donned a baseball cap after a few minutes. "What great fun this has been, and what a great crowd out here watching. And what a great cause."
Comets Football Coach Gary Fowler, seeming a little jumpy as the clippers hovered above his head, was the first in line at 3 pm, followed by several dozen more as the cutting continued into the evening hours. Rain threatened the event all day long and once caused a short break, but the shearing continued as the pile of hair on the ground grew larger and larger.
Downtown Development Coordinator Bruce Naegelen had his head shaved the day before the event due to family emergency out of state.
Clayton's fundraising goal of $35,000 had already been reached days ago, but more and more contributions came in all day long.
"I'm very proud of the people of Clayton," Grannis said. "For us to raise so much money for cancer research is teriffic. I'm very proud to be a part of this community."
The event was the idea of local businessman Rob Baker, whose son Bo was diagnosed in February 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. MORE
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