Childhood Cancer Research gets Boost from Volunteer Charity

Chubby's Bar and Grill was packed with supporters for childhood cancer research.
Chubby’s Bar and Grill was packed with supporters for childhood cancer research.

by Janice Limbaugh

 

On a typical Sunday, you won’t find Chubby’s Bar and Grill off Byron Center in Wyoming open for business. It’s the one day of the week they’re closed. On one Sunday recently, they weren’t open so much for business but for hosting a great charity – The St. Baldrick’s Foundation and their annual fundraiser for childhood cancer research.

The answer to this question was unanimous: To show support for kids with cancer.
The answer to this question was unanimous: To show support for kids with cancer.

 

Over 60 volunteers stepped up to have their heads shaved in solidarity with kids with cancer,  17 of them deciding on the spot that afternoon. “This feels weird,” was the common phrase heard among newly sheared participants milling throughout the crowd.  “What the heck – it’ll grow back,” was the other general consensus.

Heads, eyebrows, mustaches and beards were fair game for fundraiser.
Heads, eyebrows, mustaches and beards were fair game for fundraiser.

 

According to Patrick Schrager, the foundation’s volunteer event organizer, the day’s activities “went way beyond expectations!”

 

“So far, we’ve raised over 35,000 dollars and the money is still coming in,” says a jubilant Schrager.

Patrick Schrager, volunteer event coordinator for St. Balderick's Foundation relocated the fundraiser to Wyoming after moving to Byron Center from Indiana. As with past events elsewhere, the afternoon was a huge success for the organization.
Volunteer event coordinator for St. Balderick’s Foundation, Pat Schrager. Kendall Electric, his employer, matched and donated a total of $4570.

 

Having relocated to Byron Center with his family last fall from Indiana, this was Schrager’s first coordinated St. Balderick’s fundraiser in the greater Grand Rapids area. Although he didn’t know what type of turnout to expect, Schrager said he knew the community was supportive of the pediatric oncology program at DeVos Children’s Hospital, and hoped the two organizations together would make a positive impact. The hospital  has received two grants from the St. Balderick’s Foundation in recent years to help support the Innovative Therapeutics Clinic in pediatric oncology, helping children with cancer find new therapies.

Cathy Wells (center) set a sponsorship goal of $1000 to shave her head but ended up raising over $2300!
Cathy Wells (center) set a sponsorship goal of $1000 to shave her head but ended up raising over $2300!

 

St. Balderick’s signature head-shaving fundraiser is held once a year in conjunction with a silent auction and raffle.

 

Cathy Wells of Zeeland said her passion for children with cancer prompted her to shave her head. “My hair grows really fast. I’ll do anything I can to help a child!”

 

Originally Wells set of goal of raising $1000 for childhood cancer research but exceeded that amount by over $500. It seemed that every freshly shaven head in the room had similar success stories.

 

Meanwhile, when they could spare a moment from serving the crowd, Chubby’s owners, Audrey Houseman and Vicki Terry, watched in amazement as the whole effort unfolded.

Chubby's Bar and Grill owners, Audrey Houseman (Left) and Vicki Terry, decided to open their doors on Sunday to host the special event.
Chubby’s Bar and Grill owners, Audrey Houseman (Left) and Vicki Terry, decided to open their doors on Sunday to host the special event.

 

“We were a little bit leery at first when a customer approached us about hosting it,” says Houseman. “We don’t want the public to think that we’re open on Sunday because we aren’t!”

 

“But we decided ‘Let’s do it!’ and we are quite impressed and glad to be a part of it,” Terry added.

 

Since 2005, St. Balderick’s Foundation has committed more than $125 million to lifesaving research, $22 million in funding childhood cancer research in 2013. The foundation funds local institutions as well as cooperative research on a national scale to help doctors work together to develop the best treatments for all children with cancer. Anyone interested in becoming involved as a volunteer, can contact Pat Schrager through email:  pat.schrager@kendalelectric.com

 

For more information about St. Baldrick’s Foundation go to: www.stbaldricks.org/

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