Printer Friendly Version - North Branford's Fourth & Final St. Baldrick's at JHS March 26

The annual St. Baldrick's fundraiser at Jerome Harrison Elementary School (JHS, shown here in 2016) will end a four-year run with a big event that's hoped to gather plenty of community support, coming Monday, March 26 from 6 - 9 p.m. at JHS.Photo from NB St. Baldrick’s on Facebook

Over $111,200 Raised Since 2015 to Fund Childhood Cancer Research

Initially established as a way to help show "Love for Lyla" Bogardus, North Branford's annual St. Baldrick's fundraiser has generated over $111,200 to fund childhood cancer research since 2015. On March 26, organizers will host the fourth and final St. Baldrick's fundraiser at Jerome Harrison Elementary School (JHS), with the hope that more supporters than ever will contribute to the cause and come out for a night of community.

North Branford's St. Baldrick's events rapidly moved the fundraising needle above $100,000 in the past three years thanks to a tireless volunteer effort of many and overwhelming community support, said event founder Judy Bannon.

"We are proud of what we have been able to accomplish, and know that we wouldn't have been as successful as we have without the support and generosity of many," said Bannon.

The group's final St. Baldrick's fundraiser will be held Monday, March 26, 6 - 9 p.m. at JHS, 335 Foxon Road. Always done with a celebratory air, "... we invite people in the community to come by for some fun," said Bannon.

Participating groups signed on to keep the crowd hopping include North Branford High School (NBHS) cheerleaders, Forge Martial Arts Academy, Revolution Academy of Dance and the Branford High School Dance team. The night's professional entertainment services are being donated by Chris Lengyel Magic, photographer Dina Falcioni, and Dan Schmidt of Local Motion DJ . The event also includes a free children's crafts area and face painting. Some of the area's favorite food trucks, including The Cheese Truck, Christiano's Pizza and Sugar Cupcakes will be curbside at JHS that night.

The event's clips for a cause will involve a small army of volunteer stylists manning barber chairs where students, staff and many community members will "brave a shave" -- each supported by donations they've collected over the past weeks. An array of amazing raffle items will also allow guests attending the event the chance to contribute to St. Baldrick's. Supporters can also give online now at the official fundraising page here Contributors can also donate by calling (888) 899-2253, specify event 11673. Donations collected to date have added up to nearly $17,400 of a $20,000 fundraising goal.

As a JHS teacher, Bannon shared her second-grade classroom with Lyla as her student during the 2014-'15 school year. After signing on to help North Branford Public Schools host a district-wide "Love for Lyla" fundraising event at the 2014 NBHS homecoming game, Bannon asked volunteers to help her put together the first St. Baldrick's event to continue to show "Love for Lyla."

"She really was so amazing—the courage and the strength that little warrior had," said Bannon, in a 2017 Person of the Week interview with Zip06/The Sound. "She just made you think, 'How can I help? What can we do? When you're a teacher, you're in a unique category: You know a lot about a lot of things. Some are good, some are not so good. You do whatever you can in that position to be as helpful as you can."

Lyla was celebrated and honored at past St. Baldrick's events, joined in ensuing years by other children battling cancer. Last year's St. Baldrick's fundraiser took place in memory and honor of nine year-old Lyla, who passed away on Christmas morning of 2016 after bravely battling rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer of the muscle, for more than seven years.

Bannon said while this will be the final year for the JHS St. Baldrick's fundraising event, the volunteer committee wants to find some way to, "...continue to honor Lyla" in the future. For now, however, the committee is focused on making this final gathering another amazing event where the community can come together to help make a difference in the lives of children battling childhood cancer.

"Over the past three years, our event has raised $111,213 to fund childhood cancer research," said Bannon. "In our final year, we ask that people be as generous as they possibly can with their financial support."