Printer Friendly Version - $35,000 Raised to Clip Away at Childhood Cancers

Jerome Harrison Principal Carter Welch takes his turn in the "shavee" seat (with help from JHS student Maddie DeFelice) on the way to helping raise over $35,000 at the March 21 St. Baldrick's benefit.Photo Courtesy JHS School

At North Branford's Jerome Harrison Elementary School (JHS) St. Baldrick's Head Shaving marathon March 21, the clips kept coming – adding up to over $35,000 collected that night. "Shavees" willingly lost their locks to help battle childhood cancers.

Once again, North Branford resident Lyla Bogardus was an honored guest at the JHS event, which was initiated last year in her honor, when she was a JHS second-grader (last year's event also raised $35,000 for St. Baldrick's). The eight-year-old joined three other honored children with cancer in their lives as part of a "Parade of Heroes" outside the school, led by bagpipers from the New Haven County Firefighters Emerald Society. The parade also featured 23 volunteer barbers and 134 "shavee" volunteers, according to organizer and JHS teacher Judy Bannon.

"Our committee is extremely grateful for the support that we receive from many dedicated and committed people," said Bannon. " As a volunteer-driven event, we depend upon the generosity of people who have been inspired to offer hope and support for children and families who have cancer as a chapter in their life story. It is our mission to financially support childhood cancer research and are committed to continuing this event for years to come!"

For this year's program, organizers added the Parade of Heroes as a new element. Community members lined the little parade route and cheered as the parade made its way into JHS school gym, transformed into a multi-station barber shop for the occasion. Outside, food trucks rustled up additional donations by giving a portion of their night's proceeds from food sales to the cause. Non-profit St. Baldrick's Foundation gives grants to medical organizations to support childhood cancer research.

Among the volunteers manning the shears and clippers on March 21 was celebrity stylist Nick Fradiani Sr. of Guilford. Not to be outdone, his son, 2015 American Idol Nick Fradiani Jr., sent a personalized autographed photo for Lyla, writing, "Lyla, you are my hero! Thanks!" Fradiani Jr. also sent personalized autographed photos given to the event's three other honored children.

State Senator Ted Kennedy Jr., who also endured childhood cancer, came to JHS March 21 to visit with Lyla and her family and showed his support. Lyla's dad, Bill Bogardus, thanked organizers and the North Branford community, sharing photos from the night with a Facebook post reading, in part, "What an amazing night for Lyla!"

JHS Principal Carter Welch had his head shaved on March 21, as did many of the K-2 students at his school. The newly-shorn Welch said the event was "...a wonderful opportunity to support the Jerome Harrison vision to teach students the importance of caring, noticing others, and the importance of civic responsibility and getting involved in the community."

He thanked Bannon for her leadership as well as all of the night's volunteers, participants, and supporters who helped it to be "... such a special night for so many."

"The event also was another amazing example of the North Branford community's commitment and involvement in a cause to help others," Welch said.

With community members cheering, eight year-old Lyla Bogardus of North Branford joins the Parade of Heroes at the March 21 Jerome Harrison School St. Baldrick's fundraising event.Photo shared by Bill Bogardus via Facebook

2015 American Idol Nick Fradiani Jr. shared his sentiments by sending this photo to Lyla Bogardus; while his father, Nick Fradiani Sr. of Guilford, helped shave heads at the March 21 St. Baldrick's event to benefit research to battle children's cancers. Fradiani Jr. sent personalized photos to all four of the night's honored children.Photo shared by Bill Bogardus via Facebook