Forest View School holding St. Baldrick’s fundraiser

Forest View Alternative School will sponsor its fourth annual “St. Baldrick’s Day” at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 21, at Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights.

Employees of Northwest Suburban High School District 214, staff and students from the alternative school, Vanguard School, and the Newcomer Center will gather to get a haircut or have their heads shaved, as well as raise money and awareness of childhood cancer.

Participants can choose to donate six inches of hair or more that will be donated to Locks of Love, an organization that provides wigs for cancer patients.

This year, Forest View will participate in the Fox Schools Challenge. In 2012, more than 4,000 “shavees” and volunteers joined the challenge, raising more than $1.4 million.

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity that funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization, other than the U.S. government. Participants will provide hope to infants, children, teens and young adults fighting childhood cancers.

Krista Paul, District 214 Internship Coordinator at Forest View Educational Center, has invited students from Empire Beauty School in Arlington Heights (who are also students in Districts 214, 211, and 220) to assist in the snipping, shearing, and shaving of tresses.

Forbici Hair Salon in downtown Arlington Heights also has volunteered to help with the shaving of the donors.

Last year, just under $10,000 was raised. Students and staff may sign up to support and participate the event at http://www.stbaldricks.org/search/forest%20view%20alternative%20school.

Every student who raises $10 or more will receive a St. Baldrick’s T-shirt. There will be a 50/50 raffle and a prize raffle. Last year’s 50/50 raffle winner won $867, while prize raffle winners last year scored tickets to the Chicago Bulls, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, and Wolves games.

“This is a very meaningful day for me, as I have the opportunity to teach kids and adults about cancer and raise money for research,” said Forest View staff member John Schwarz, event organizer. “I also want to thank the community and our vendors for their involvement in the donations for our this very special day.”

For more information, email Schwarz at ">john.schwarz@d214.org