Dear Friends: I participated in the first St. Baldrick's event in Oklahoma City in 2003, when an 11 year-old boy in our church, Fletcher Vines, lost his battle with cancer. As Fletcher's minister, I saw my entire congregation transformed by his heroism and wisdom. Fletcher's mom, Gail Vines, helped to organize the first St. Baldrick's as a way to raise money for children's cancer research. To be honest, none of us had ever heard of it in those days. Now St. Baldricks has become one of the most authentic and spiritual ways to raise money that I have ever seen. Asking people to forego a principle symbol of vanity in our culture (hair) in order to raise money to save children's lives not only restores an ancient religious practice (shaving one's head as a clarifying and self-effacing act), but succeeds in raising lots of money from people who enjoy seeing other people go bald for a good cause! When women shave their heads, the effect is even more profound. St. Baldrick's is a beautiful thing. When I got my head shaved in 2003, I decided not to re-grow my hair, and have worn it short in memory of Fletcher ever since. But I'm going under the shears again this year, as is the youth minister of our church Kelly Osborn. And I want you ALL to donate to the cause, and if possible, come to VZD's in OKlahoma City on Sunday, March 28 to see me get my head shaved again! Although I don't have a lot of hair to donate, I will be growing it between now and the event, and you can more than make up for what I lack in locks by donating LOTS of money! Go to www.StBaldrick's.org to donate. Enter my name as a shavee (ID 375709) for the event at VZD's on March 28th, 2010 in Oklahoma City, and pledge toward my ambitious goal of $10,000. I'll send photos after, and my entire congregation will thank you. Do it for Fletcher. Do it today. Grace and Peace, Robin R. Meyers Minister, Mayflower Congregational UCC Church, OKC