Students, family members, administrators and faculty members in the Northport-East Northport School District gathered at William J. Brosnan School for St. Baldrick’s Day on March 10 in the fight to end childhood cancer.
The school community created teams in which individuals raised money for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, an organization the district has supported for the past nine years. The teams came out to the event to get their heads shaved in honor of those who have battled cancer or are currently fighting the deadly disease. Through online donations alone, the district raised more than $75,000 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation this year.
St. Baldrick’s Foundation organizer John McKenna and Superintendent of Schools Robert Banzer were grateful for the turnout and support from the school community.
“I want to thank this community, who have been unbelievable at helping others weather the storm,” said Banzer. “I want to extend a thanks to those who are donating their time today, donating their hair and donating money for such an admirable cause.”
Local barbershops and salons volunteered their time and skills to shave heads. Banzer and eight-year-old Northport-East Northport cancer survivor Christian Sloan cut the green ribbon to kick off the event. Sloan overcame anaplastic ependymoma, also known as a brain tumor and helped shave volunteers’ heads during the event.
One by one, team members of all ages sat in chairs on the auditorium stage and had their heads shaved for the cause, while the Northport Pipe and Drums entertained the crowd with their bagpipe performance.
Attendees were also welcomed into the gymnasium for the opportunity to support the foundation by purchasing food, St. Baldrick’s apparel and participating in raffles, balloon animals, a silent art auction and face painting by Illuminated Faces.
In addition, Norwood Avenue Elementary School Girl Scouts sold Girl Scout cookies in the lobby with a percentage of the cookie purchases going towards the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.
Photo caption: The Bellerose Fuzzballs showed off their newly shaved looks.
Photos courtesy of the Northport-East Northport School District
