Submitted photo Amy Ballard, a bus driver for the Liberty Local School District, will be among the approximately 100 people who will have their head shaved March 14 at Penguin City Brewing in downtown Youngstown for the annual St. Baldrick’s Day fundraiser. St. Baldrick’s is a nonprofit organization that raises funds for childhood cancer research and awareness.

Last year, the St. Baldrick’s Shave Youngstown raised $64,000, which was $14,000 more than the goal and nearly double the amount raised in 2024.

This year, Jason Cottrill, founder of the local chapter in 2022 and the Shave Youngstown event director, hopes to raise $91,700. The specific amount has a special purpose — to honor the birthday of his niece, Ashlin, who was born Sept. 17 and died of leukemia in 2000 at 13 months.

Started in 1999, when three friends made a bet to raise the most money by shaving their heads, St. Baldrick’s has become the nation’s largest funder of childhood cancer research grants, with donations of more than $326 million.

Cottrill knew of St. Baldrick’s when he managed the O’Donold’s in Austintown, which hosted shaving events. He became inspired to start a local chapter after Ashlin lost her fight with leukemia.

He said the 2026 St. Baldrick’s event, which again will take place March 14 at Penguin City Brewing in downtown Youngstown, has raised $40,000 as of Friday and there are 64 people signed up to be shaved so far. The goal is 125 shavees.

Cottrill said since the 2025 event, he created a nonprofit, Ashlin’s Alliance, to manage the St. Baldrick’s event and assist local families who have children battling cancer.

The idea behind the St. Baldrick’s Shave is simple and similar to other cancer fundraisers such as the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life: ask donors or sponsors to donate money for the cause. In exchange, the participants get their head, beard or mustaches shaved. For those who don’t want to have a complete shave, they can get a trim. There also is a Pie in the Eye option for those not interested in a shave or cut, but still want to raise money.

LIBERTY BUS DRIVER

Among those participating in the March 14 shaveoff is Amy Ballard of Liberty. She has spent the past 20 years serving the Liberty Local Schools community, first as a recess and lunch aide and for the past decade as a bus driver.

Known to many students as the friendly face behind the wheel of Bus No. 6, Ballard is now taking her commitment to children beyond the school day and has signed up to shave her head at the St. Baldrick’s event. Her goal is to raise $2,500 to support lifesaving research into childhood cancers.

“Cancer doesn’t care, but Miss B does,” Ballard said. “I know what’s important in the world — everything nature and all the kids. I figured if I can make it even just a little better, St. Baldrick’s and a haircut is a good place to start. Please consider a small donation to help the quest for a cure through research in childhood cancer.”

Also participating in its own shave event is the Lowellville Local School District, which will have its event on Thursday. There are six staff members and eight students signed up so far.

Those wanting to sign up for a cut or shave at the Penguin City event, which runs 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., can visit www.stbaldricks.org/events/youngstown2026.