Campus Ministry, along with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and Locks of Love, hosted the second annual St. Baldrick’s Day event this Wednesday in the D’Angelo Center.

Students showed their support for children suffering from cancer by donating their time – and hair. Volunteers had the option of shaving their head or cutting at least ten inches of hair.

Angela Seegel, campus minister, said she was proud of the event and what it accomplishes. St. John’s has raised nearly $3,000 more than last year, according to their event page on the St. Baldrick’s Web site. All of the money raised will go directly to the charity, which funds children’s cancer research.

Ten women registered to have their hair cut for Locks of Love, a non-profit organization that makes hair pieces for children who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy.

One of the highest-raising volunteers was David Masur, head coach of the men’s soccer team, who is currently listed as raising $4,855 for the drive. Masur is also one of the 36 people who will shave their head. According to Seegel, Masur’s head was ceremoniously shaved by Johnny Thunderbird while the rest will be shaved by a barber.

Another St. John’s administrator who volunteered to shave his head was Dr. Robert Mangione, dean of the College of Allied Health and Pharmacy.

Though the event was for a serious cause, Seegel highlighted that the University community enjoyed themselves. The event included a bake sale and a raffle for prizes. One of the top prizes was a basketball autographed by men’s basketball head coach Steve Lavin.

The event was also sponsored by WSJU.

Last year St. John’s raised $15,896 to donate to St. Baldrick’s, according to Seegel. Twenty-four people volunteered to have their heads shaved. Eight women cut their hair to donate to Locks of Love.

Seegel said she was satisfied with last year’s drive and what it meant for the community. “The energy at last year’s event makes me so excited to be a part of St. John’s,” she said.

St. Baldrick’s Foundation also has an alumni connection to St. John’s. John R. Bender, who graduated from the Tobin College of Business in 1987, was one of the three co-founders who established the charity in 2000. Last year Bender attended the event but was not able to this year due to business. According to the St. Baldrick’s website, Bender annually shaves his head for the fund.