Although it is a case of hair today, gone tomorrow the heads shaved at Marcus Christ Hall in New Hyde Park next Tuesday afternoon will be for a good cause.
Those putting their heads on the line – and under a razor – will be helping the St. Baldricks Foundation in its 5th annual St. Baldricks Day fundraiser to raise money for child cancer research.
“Honestly, it just seems really unjust when you think of kids suffering with cancer,” said Nassau County Police Officer Nicholas Mosesso, who is organizer of the event in New Hyde Park. “If you can raise money to help find a cure, why not?”
St. Baldrick’s Day, which is an international event hosted in New Hyde Park by the Nassau County Police 3rd Precinct, raised more than $35,000 last year and has raised more than $135,000 over the four years in New Hyde Park, Mosesso said.
Last year, the foundation raised more than $30 million.
Each person who volunteers to have their head shaved is asked to contribute $50 to the cause and is encouraged to solicit sponsors to contribute, Mosesso said.
Participants, including 55 individuals and five teams have raised $19,012 in the past, according to information posted on the local Web site for the cause (http://www.stbaldricks.org/events/ncpd.) People can sign up to be shaved or make donations on the site.
One of the teams, New Hyde Park Boy Scout Troop 298, has contributed $2,752 to the cause.
This year’s participants also include 3rd Precinct commanding officer Inspector Sean McCarthy, who has raised $1,835.
“I’m getting my head shaved. It’s a great charity,” McCarthy said.
Mosesso said a group of Explorer scouts in an educational police program at the 3rd Precinct drew him into a St. Baldricks event in Floral Park, and he decided to organize the annual fundraiser in New Hyde Park.
“I thought it was a really good idea,” he said. “There’s a lot of people in the community who get involved.”
Along with the scouts from Troop 298, Mosesso said several Nassau County Police officers and their sons are among the 40 volunteers who have committed to going bald for the cause this year.
Eileen Raguseo, treasurer for the event, said the group pays for any expenses incurred themselves and all the money raised goes to the St. Baldricks Foundation.
She said along with people who sign up in advance to get shaved, the event always draws some walk-ins.
“We have young boys that come in off the street,” Raguseo said.
This year, after the merger of the 3rd and 6th Precincts, Mosesso is hoping for greater community participation that will enable the event to exceed the level of last year’s donations.
The event will take place on Tuesday, April 2 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Marcus Christ Hall, next to New Hyde Park Village Hall at 1420 Jericho Turnpike. Information about St. Baldricks Foundation is available at http://www.stbaldricks.org/.
