What’s all the neighborhood buzz about?
By Patte Smith
Sports figures to sheriff deputies are all sporting facial hair these days – a fad that has come and gone over the years, but is now being encouraged by Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock. Mustaches to beards, long hair to Fu Manchus, residents will see scruffy looking deputy sheriffs patrolling the county with itchy stubble and wiry whiskers – all for a very good cause – helping to cure childhood cancer.
Sheriff Spurlock has challenged staff and the community to help him raise $3,500 to shave off his mustache, his prized possession, at the St. Baldrick’s shave-a-thon on Saturday, March 15 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds Events Center.
Families, friends, co-workers and any other residents are encouraged to join in and get shaved in support of the deputies, but more importantly for the “shear” goodness of helping children. Barbers will shave off long hair, beards, and mustaches. Every buzz cut will help researchers try to find a cure for cancer that strikes children.
Deputies taking part in the event will get shaved at 2 p.m. Other participants will get their heads, beards or whiskers shaved between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
“Our deputies look forward to this event every year,” stated Spurlock. “It raises money for a great cause and the deputies have fun with it. But more importantly, the money raised will help save children’s lives.”
Douglas County Deputy Niles Ackerson lost a child to cancer. He is trying to make sure that it does not happen to any other parent or child and his personal goal is to raise $50,000.
“I urge you as a community member to read about the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and read the stories of some of the bravest warriors battling a deadly microscopic enemy,” Ackerson said. “Without our help with funding, the doctors and scientists researching cancer can’t help cancer victims win their battle.”
The shave-a-thon is a fundraiser for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers.
This is the ninth year the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with the foundation and the community at large. The event has raised over a quarter of a million dollars.
For additional information, e-mail Deputy Niles Ackerson at Nackerso@DCSheriff.net or call 303-947-2446. Visit www.stbaldricks.org/events/mypage/175/2012 to make a donation.
