The Romeo Observer - Romeo, Michigan: Northern Macomb County's weekly newspaper since 1866

Breaking News

CURTIS OSTRANDER	DUAINE HARDING
ELEANOR TODD	ELMER "BUD" HAHN
GERVASE KILEY	MARGARET ZIEMAN
MARIAN SUTTON	ORLO KIRKUM
SLAVA KOKOTOVICH
Browse Full Text...

» Inside

Public Notices
Links
About Us
News Stands
Subscriptions
Editorial Forms
Archives

» Deadlines

Friday, 2 pm
Inserts

Friday, 5 pm
Retail Display
Editorial

Monday, Noon
Classified Display
Service Directory Display

Monday, 2 pm
Service Directory Liners

Monday, 3 pm
Classified Liners

All Holiday Deadlines are One Full Workday Earlier

St. Baldrick's establishes
bigger goals, bigger event

by CHRIS GRAY
Observer Staff Writer

      Last year, more than 3,000 people flooded Romeo for the village's first-ever St. Baldrick's fundraiser, making it the largest event of its kind in Michigan.
       Now, the event's planners are hoping to not only top that, but use that surge of kindness and attention to raise $100,000 for childhood cancer research.
       The challenge has been thrown down, and residents are encouraged to step up and lend a hand<or a head<at noon on Saturday, March 13 for the Village of Romeo's 2010 St. Baldrick's fundraiser. The main staging area this year will be at Lions Field.
       St. Baldrick's is a charity that spans the globe with the goal of raising money to fund childhood cancer research. Volunteers are asked to collect donations, and in return, people can come to the event and witness those volunteers having their heads completely shaved.
       Not only is it a quirky way of raising money, it is also symbolic of the support each volunteer shows for children who lose their hair while enduring treatments for cancer.
       Washington Township resident Mike Fiscus coordinated last year's event, and is confident the 2010 fundraiser will outshine 2009's fundraiser.
       "This event is the size the foundation normally sees in Chicago or L.A. or another big city," said Fiscus. "The fact that this little village pulls together to make this happen is great."
       Since its creation 10 years ago, the foundation has raised more than $50 million, and is the world's largest fundraiser for childhood cancer.
       Like the charity itself, Romeo's event aims to once again become the largest. In 2009 the initial goal of $50,000 was surpassed, raising just more than $74,500 and making 140 people's heads a lot shinier.
       This year, the goals have been bumped up to raising $100,000 and shearing at least 300 heads.
       "Last year at this time we had about $6,000 and 30 shavees registered," he said. "We now have between 60 to 70 shavees registered, and at three weeks out we're already closing in on 15 percent of our goal."
       As of Feb. 26, the Romeo event has raised ($14,390), about 15 percent of its target amount. Fiscus said despite a bad economy, he expects the donations will pour in as they did last year during the event itself.
       "We're pushing people to donate what they can, like $10 or even $5," said Fiscus. "Don't kill yourself just to do more, just donate what you can and tell somebody else about it."
       The event will once again be held in honor of the Costas, a Washington Township family whose 11-year-old son, Noah, recently went through treatment for re-occurrence of neuroblastoma. It is also honoring Jameson and Emily MacBeth, whose 2-year-old daughter died from cancer in 2002.
       Locally, everyone from officials and businessowners to parents and children have signed up to raise funds. The event's Web site lists at least 80 participants who are either raising money individually or as a team. Those who pre-register to be shaved receive a T-shirt and have a scheduled time for their shaving.
       "You don't have to be shaved to donate," said Fiscus.
       He said merchants have also stepped it up this year, with three times the amount of sponsors compared to 2009. They, along with volunteers, are coordinating a slew of activities for families to enjoy, like live bands, a parade and raffles.
       "A lot of it is going off the model from last year, so we're fine-tuning it to make sure things run smoothly," said Fiscus.
       Part of that fine-tuning was deciding on a new venue for the shaving to take place. When it was held at Younger's Irish Tavern last year, it was so crowded people couldn't see the shaving take place or even enter the bar.
       This year, though, the Romeo Lions Club has stepped forward and allowed the fundraiser to utilize the Lions Field, normally used to house events such as the Peach Festival.
       "We're looking forward to it, there is a lot of planning going on," he said.
       The Washington and Romeo Lions plan to once again compete to see who can raise the most money, while members from the local fire departments are forming teams to pitch in.
       "I think this is an excellent fundraiser, it's basically all about the children," said Gordon Dorris. "I think if you're going to get involved with something, this is a great event."
       Planning meetings for the event converge 7 p.m. every Thursday at either Thee Office Pub and Cookery or Younger's Irish Tavern. For a list of events and other information, visit www.romeosb.com or www.stbaldricks.org