Firefighters Shave Their Heads For a Cure

You may be seeing a lot of bald men around town. Members of the Shelton Fire Department participated in a fundraising event this past Saturday, July 14, where they shaved their heads to benefit childhood cancer research.

Teams of "shavees" representing each of the fire department's companies raised donation money and got their hair completely buzzed for St. Baldrick's Foundation, a charity that funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government.

The Shelton event was organized by Mark Starzecki of Huntington Fire Company #3. hosted, and at times it seemed more like a party than a fundraiser. Friends and family gathered downstairs and enjoyed music, food and drinks while firefighters and other volunteers got their heads shaved upstairs, courtesy of the ladies from .

"We all got together and decided to raise money and shave our heads in solidarity with the kids fighting cancer and going through chemo and all the other things they have to face," Starzeck said.

By 4 p.m., an hour after the fun had started, about 40 people had been buzzed and the fire department estimated it raised nearly double their initial goal of $3,000.

"Donations keep coming in and everyone's been really great to support us with this," Starzecki said. "A lot of businesses have been supportive about this entire event; they've been donating to us, and  a couple family members have donated some [raffle] gifts. All the raffle ticket money will go right into the foundation again."

Joe Tassitano, also of , said he feels "naked" with a bare head, and hasn't had his hair that short for over a decade. Starzecki said he grew his mane out for three months in preparation for the event.

It's a relief," Starzecki said. "It's nice to finally have it off."