Politics & Government

Village President, Trustees to Shave Heads for Charity

Vernon Hills Village President Roger Byrne and trustees Mike Marquardt and Thom Koch have joined the police department's St. Baldrick's team. Donations are still needed to help the team reach its goal.

There will soon be more bald heads in Vernon Hills.

Vernon Hills Village President Roger Byrne and trustees Thom Koch and Mike Marquardt have signed up to have their hair shaved off March 9 during a St. Baldrick's Foundation fundraiser to support childhood cancer research.

"What the hell, it will grow back," Byrne said last week, when he was asked during a Village Board meeting to join the effort.

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The team was organized by the Vernon Hills Police Department, which hopes to raise $10,000 for the charity. Among the participants is Officer Sharon Joseph who, along with her family, will have her long locks shaved.

As of Feb. 27, the team had raised $3,946 toward its goal. Members hope the community will step up to support their efforts prior to the event, which will be held at noon March 9 in front of The Gap in Hawthorn Mall.

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Donations can be made in support of specific participants. On Feb. 27, Joseph was the lead fundraiser, with $850 donated in her honor.

“I’m hoping that people are just waiting until the day of the event to make their donations, but it would really help to make those donations now," Joseph said. "I’d feel much better shaving my head if I knew we were had raised lots of money!”

For more information, and to make a donation, visit http://www.stbaldricks.org/events/mypage/7662/2013. Donations will also be accepted at the event.

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