Homewood-Flossmoor Youth Hockey Raises Big Bucks for St. Baldrick's

Helmets might be a little loose on Homewood-Flossmoor's Youth Hockey players.

Fourteen skaters in the league offered up their noggins and locks for a good cause, going under the clippers for a St. Baldrick's Day event March 2. The skaters and 9 family members and/or coaches raised money to help fund research for curing childhood cancers. 

The group started with a $3,000 fundraising goal—but blew that away with $10,900 total raised.

"We thought this ($3,000) was pretty ambitious, given that we had never run this event before and we had no idea what the participation would be," said organizer Alison Schwarz.  "I think we have a modest amount of participants compared to the program size, but everyone has been amazingly supportive."

The St. Baldrick's Foundation is a national non-profit organization that raises money for childhood cancer research. Volunteers with the organization typically host special events in which they shave their heads in solidarity with children who lost their hair during cancer treatment.

The league's group included four girls (two skaters, one sister of a skater and one mom) who cut their hair for Locks of Love.

The top fundraiser was rewarded with a chance to shave a coach or dad’s head.  One of the league's more well-known coaches volunteered to sport a mullet, so the top fundraiser will get to shave the top of his head.

Schwarz was ecstatic about the effort and generosity. 

"It is just an amazing amount of money for the size of the group," she said. "We are so proud of our kids and their families' efforts!"

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