It's that time of year again where I come to hustle donations for St. Baldricks. I'm not going to be shaving my head to raise awareness for the fight against juvenile cancer with my friends from Team Space Monkeys, and I would appreciate your...
"Wait a minute."
Yes?
"You said you're NOT going to be shaving your head."
Correct.
"Explain that part. You didn't do it last year either."
OK. First off, I'm already bald. I've kept it that way during the Year Indoors - last year's event was the first of everything that was cancelled for us. This is a very important charity to me. My friends and I have raised over $18,000 for it. I've participated for twelve years and first did it in 2008. I am a Knights of the Bald Table Commander.
But this year, the places that host parties for St. Baldrick's aren't safely, or in many cases, legally, able to do so. I remember - and really miss - the throngs at McMullans and Palmer Place. And they miss us too, and someday soon we're going to be able to drink and laugh together again. But juvenile cancer doesn't care about things like social distancing or maximum capacities or whether or not we've been vaccinated. The research, and the shifting of odds, must go on.
So this year, even though I still have no hair on my head to contribute, let's switch it up.
I do have a beard, and thanks to refraining from using the trimmer, I'm currently sporting something between "Civil War re-enactor" and "Homeless methamphetamine enthusiast." My old barber said I looked like the lumberjack villain from the Three Stooges. And in normal years, I'd keep my face to myself. But you don't need me to tell you, this is certainly not a normal year. So, for the cause and for the kids, I'll go clean shaven for the first time in a very, very long time.
So, the usual rules apply. For every $5 you donate, you get to pick one color. I'll break out the peroxide and the dye and change that beard to whatever color you choose.
Any amount you can contribute is certainly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your generosity and consideration.
James Lyden
Team Space Monkeys
KOTBT Knight Commander 2019
