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Shampoo for sun block

  • Published
  • By Airman Amber Kelly-Woodward
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Several Joint Total Force Scott members and other members of the local community volunteered to shave their heads to raise money for children with cancer June 21. 

It started when a man who recognized Mark Atkins's firefighter license plates asked if he would be interested in helping his son who is suffering from cancer by shaving his head for St. Baldrick's, said Mr. Atkins, Air Mobility Command Headquarters program analyst. He asked the O'Fallon fire chief and the firehouse, and they unanimously said yes, Mr. Atkins added. 

"This is what we do, we volunteer, it's in our nature," said Dane Harrel, U. S. Transportation Command joint training facilitator specialist. "Most of us volunteered to be in the military, it is an extension to volunteer to help kids with cancer." 

The St. Baldrick's Foundation was started in 1999 when Tim Kenny challenged his friends, John Bender and Enda McDonnel, to find a way to give back. John thought of shaving Enda's head because cancer patients normally lose their hair during treatment and people would pay to see one of their friends bald. Since then more than 18,000 heads have been shaved and more than $12.8 million raised. 

Emily Berry, daughter of Kevin Berry a 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center contractor, was the poster child for the O'Fallon firefighters. Emily was suffering from a brain tumor and the firefighters tried to help her in anyway they could. Her twin brother, Harrison, also shaved his head for his sister. Emily was also selected for the Pilot for a Day Program June 20. 

Tim Hurst, lessons learned analyst AMC, is another inspiration for the O'Fallon firefighters, said Mr. Atkins. Mr. Hurst's brother Ted Hurst passed away cancer, but he saw this as an opportunity to do something for his brother, Mr. Atkins added. 

The goal for the O'Fallon fire department was $5,000, but as of June 23, they raised over $20,000. 

Additional funds were raised Saturday in O'Fallon with a cookout, snow cones, a picnic table raffle made by one of the O'Fallon volunteer firefighters, a 50-50 raffle and boot pass for attendees to donate money. All the proceeds from this event also went to St. Baldrick's. Attendees were able to participate in a fire house tour, see fire engine and truck displays, ride a 1949 Mack fire engine, slide down the fire pole and experience the smoke house trailer. 

Anyone interested in donating to the St. Baldrick's foundation can visit www.St. Baldrick's.org, then click on O'Fallon where it says "find an event."