Village police Chief Rick Alli enjoys his head and beard shave by stylist Ciera Robson, assistant coordinator for St. Baldrick’s Foundation, Thursday afternoon during Lowellville Local School District’s Shave-A-Thon. Correspondent photo / Susan Wojnar

Students and staff at the Lowellville Local School District came together Thursday afternoon for a Shave-A-Thon supporting the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to funding childhood cancer research.

The newly shaved volunteers raised $17,026. Their initial goal was $2,000.

The school is partnering this year with Shave Youngstown, presented by Ashlin’s Alliance, as part of a regional effort to raise money and awareness in the fight against childhood cancer.

Six Lowellville staff members committed to having their heads or facial hair shaved during the event, along with nine students who have signed up to participate.

Participants collect donations from friends and family leading up to the Shave-A-Thon. On the day of the event, volunteers take the stage in groups and have their heads shaved by licensed barbers and stylists who donate their time.

The shaving this year was performed by professional stylists Ciera Robson, assistant coordinator, and Aly Nickell, shaving coordinator for St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

For many participants, shaving their head is a symbolic act of solidarity with children undergoing cancer treatment, who often lose their hair during chemotherapy. The funds raised go toward lifesaving childhood cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

District Superintendent Christine Sawicki said the cause holds deep personal meaning.

“I am a cancer survivor,” Sawicki said. “In June, I will celebrate nine years cancer-free after being diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in 2017. Supporting the St. Baldrick’s Foundation is very meaningful to me because I understand firsthand the trials and challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis — not only for the person going through it, but also for their family and caregivers.”

Sawicki said bringing the event to the school was an opportunity to unite the community around an important cause.

“The Rocket family truly is the best, and I couldn’t be more proud of the students and staff who volunteered,” she said. “As of this morning, we have raised more than $8,000, and we will have a final total to share on Thursday.”

The Lowellville event is connected to the larger Shave Youngstown fundraiser traditionally presented in conjunction with the Penguin City Brewing Company. This year, organizers decided to bring part of the experience directly to Lowellville.

Jason Cottrill is the lead organizer for Shave Youngstown and president of Ashlin’s Alliance, founded the organization in memory of his niece Ashlin, who died of leukemia in 2000 at just 13 months old. Ashlin’s Alliance is a nonprofit that assists local families whose children are battling cancer.

Cottrill said having the event in Lowellville is part of a broader effort to involve schools.

“Lowellville was the first school in our area to step up and want to participate,” he said. “We’re excited to bring the experience directly to them.”

“It allows students to take ownership of the cause and be part of something bigger than themselves while helping fund lifesaving childhood cancer research,” Cottrill said.

For Burton “Skeeter” Baird of Ashlin’s Alliance, the event also carries personal significance.

“Lowellville is my hometown and where I graduated from,” he said. “We wanted to get a school involved this year with the Shave Youngstown event, and we approached Superintendent Sawicki with the idea. We decided to include the staff and students and hold it at the school two days before the main event.”

Several Lowellville staff members said their decision to participate is also personal.

Athletic director Robert Ballone said he shaved off a mustache he has worn for four decades.

“My superintendent is a cancer survivor, and my father-in-law died a few years ago from cancer,” Ballone said. “Anytime Christine asks me to do something for cancer, I’m always glad to help support and raise money.

School bus driver and lunchroom monitor Chad Likens said supporting children facing cancer was an easy decision.

“I’m shaving my head because it’s the least I can do to show these kids they aren’t fighting alone,” Likens said. “If losing my hair helps lift their spirits or reminds them how many people truly care, then I’m all in.”

Fellow bus driver Cindi Clemens said her long career working with children made the cause especially meaningful.

“Children are my life,” Clemens said. “I’ve been a school bus driver for 47 years, and it breaks my heart to see a child who is sad, hurt or suffering. I’ve had friends who fought cancer and beat it, and I’ve lost others, including two brothers. That’s why I wanted to take part.”

Students who volunteered to have their hair shaved or trimmed included Lena Ventura, a second grade student, who had her hair trimmed; Hunter Wood, third grade; Luca Getsy, fourth grade; Jacob Cavna and Reilly Mentzer, both seventh grade; eighth grader, Rex Rolland; Steve Yon and Zack Stevens, both ninth grade; and Jayden Gibbons, a 10 grade student.

Lowellville police Chief Rick Alli, who had both his head and beard shaved, said the event reflects a cause that resonates across generations.

“Cancer is a disease that has touched every family,” Alli said. “However, when it hits those who have not had a chance at life itself, it strikes a chord for unity to battle it. I hope to inspire others in my generation to come out and support this event — as a dad, as a grandfather and a great-grandfather. Let’s find a cure.”