Calhoun And Mepham Brave The Shave, Raise Nearly $75,000 For St. Baldrick's Foundation

Sanford H. Calhoun and Wellington C. Mepham high schools both held their annual St. Baldrick’s fundraising events last weekend, together raising nearly $75,000 to fund research into juvenile cancer.

Calhoun held its 11th annual shave on March 21, raising $32,000. Mepham held its shave the next day, raising $42,000.

Each school has been participating in the event for years. Mepham started in 2008 and has raised more than $250,000 since then. And Calhoun has been at it even longer.

“This is our 11-straight year and we are closing in on the $600,000 mark overall,” said Joseph Bianca, a Calhoun special education teacher and organizer of the St. Baldrick’s event.

At Calhoun, the football team was once again the top fundraising team, earning more than $6,000 for the cause, led by social studies teacher and coach Brian Moeller. Merrick’s Smith Street Deli donated a whopping $5,000 to the school’s fundraiser as well.

On the Mepham side, Team Guiliana G., created for social studies teacher Jacqueline Geller’s cancer-surviving 4-year-old daughter, were top fundraisers, earning nearly $6,500 for the cause.

“I am so proud of our Participation in Government and Leadership students for their spirit, enthusiasm and hard work in creating an event that not only raised money for such an important cause, but showcased why Mepham is such a special place,” said Kerry Dennis, social studies teacher, kickline coach and St. Baldrick's co-coordinator.

Photos, courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District:

1. A Mepham student took a selfie while social studies teacher and event organizer Chris Patten shaved his head.
   
2. Gianni Schneider shaved Marie Duignan’s hair.
   
3. Sarah Gigi shaved Kayla Baldi's hair.
   
4. Brittany Donnelly shaved Austin Olson's head.
   
5. Nicole Morea shaved Bellmore-Merrick CHSD Superintendent of Schools John DeTommaso’s head at the St. Baldrick’s event.