Bayport Sports Bar To Host 5th Annual 'St. Baldrick's' Fundraiser

BAYPORT, NY — A local sports bar is continuing its tradition of giving back — and losing some hair.

Momo's Too Sports Bar & Grill, located at 667 Montauk Hwy in Bayport, will be hosting its fifth annual St. Baldrick's Foundation fundraiser on Saturday at 12 p.m.

The event will feature a live DJ, raffle prizes, a free buffet — and of course a shaving-of-the-heads to promote awareness of childhood cancer.

St. Baldrick's Foundation is a not-for-profit organization with the aim of raising funds to help find cures for children with cancer.

According to its website, the name of the foundation is not associated with a recognized Saint of the Catholic Church, but is founded on word play and appropriation of the title of sainthood.

Rich Comunale, who owns Momo's with his wife, Tracey Comunale, told Patch that they started this tradition because it was the "right thing" to do.

"Personally, it's always been my goal and my dream to give back to the community," he said.

According to the St. Baldrick's website, 1 in 264 children in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer before they turn 20. Children are lost to cancer more than any other childhood diseases combined, it states.

Shaved hair is not donated, by St. Baldrick's, its website says, but volunteers are welcome to shave their heads at the organizations' events and donate their hair to another organization.

Including Rich, about 25 to 30 people shave their heads each year, he said. Many of them are regulars.

For example, Bryan Goetz, along with employees of Grucci Fireworks, participate in honor of a friend who passed from cancer.

In the past five years, the bar has raised about $98,000 for child cancer research.

"I start the fundraising in January every year," Rich said. "So up until January to March, we raise money."

Rich also said this will be Momo's first time hosting the in-person shaving event since 2019.

In 2020, the bar had to cancel its event last minute due to the coronavirus pandemic. The following year, he said, the bar did not raise money or host the fundraiser.

However, Momo's is making a come back in 2022. So far it has raised $17,959 this year, out of its goal of $30,000.

Rich told Patch that with the consistent support of the community, he is certain they'll reach the goal.

" It's just such a great organization," he said. "It just feels good to do the right thing."

To learn more about Momo's event and St. Baldrick's Foundation, click here.