Head-shaving event raises money for Hamburg boy

SUSSEX BOROUGH — They did it again. The Sussex Borough Volunteer Fire Department gave their all as they hosted another St. Baldrick's event. This year they raised $37,000 to help Malaki Thomas, a young 9-year-old diagnosed with a rare Primitive neuroectodermal brain tumor.

St. Baldrick's organizer Alison Bannon said they had hoped Malaki could have attended all the festivities on Saturday, March 12, but he was being hospitalized for intensive chemo.

Michelle Clark, the St Patrick's Day Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner chief organizer, along with 40 other volunteers, said St. Baldrick magic happened between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday when all the volunteers' heads were shaved. She said Harry Thompson was an amazing auctioneer, who asked each volunteer, “How much did you raise?”

“$400,” as an example.
Thompson then delightfully worked with the crowd, bringing the donation up to $500. Whatever the amount, he helped bring it higher.

In the end, the event exceeded their goal of $35,000. The Sussex Fire Department raised $10,161, with 53 volunteers being shaved; the Hamburg Fire Department raised $2,512; the Canadian team raised $2,096; and Scott Shepherd raised $7,150 individually, along with other individual volunteers raising money.

Although a serious cause, the volunteers knew how to have fun with Freeholder Jonathan Rose.

They saved Rose for last to be shaved in front of a packed fire house after dinner. Rose collected $1,100 from dinner attendees, before three women took turns shaving off his hair with, “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” playing in the background.

Thompson said more than once, “What a sport!” as everyone laughed.

The magic continued even more for Clark, because she won the ATV Four Wheeler raffle.

Ultimately, the Hienergy Entertainment D. J. started the dance with, “Celebrate Good Times.”

Bannon described a heartwarming moment when Anthony Largo volunteered to have his head shaved. Largo is the young boy honored last year by the Sussex Volunteer Fire Department at their St. Baldrick's fund raiser.

Next year, everyone is looking forward to Malaki attending the event.