St. Baldrick’s event held at Marcus Christ Hall St. Baldrick’s event held at
The Nassau County Police Department’s Third Precinct hosted its fifth annual St. Baldrick’s Event for children with cancer at Marcus Christ Hall on Monday, April 1. The event was led by local Boy Scout troops in honor of one of their members, James Sokol, who was diagnosed with leukemia in January. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer charity that funds promising research to help find cures for kids with cancer.
Members of Boy Scout troops 298 and 544 were in attendance along with local firemen, policeman and other community members. The head shavings began at 4 p.m. and ran for until 7 p.m.
“A lot of people here are getting their heads shaved today in solidarity to help with cancer research,” said Third Precinct POP Officer Nick Mosesso, who had his head shaved. “All of the money raised today goes toward fighting childhood cancer.”
Mary Lennon, mother of 544 Troop Leader Eamonn Lennon, said that her son has been shaving his head for four years in a row to help support St Baldrick’s in its effort to fight childhood cancer.
“This is his fourth year doing this and today he and his fellow scout members are shaving their heads in honor of their friend, James,” said Lennon. “The boys felt it would be a nice gesture and they came together to support a fellow Scout who was recently diagnosed with leukemia.”
The Third Precinct raised $36,000 last year and is closing in on $35,000 in 2013. In the four years prior, $135,000 was raised. Mosesso said their initiative was sparked when they went to a St. Baldrick’s event in Floral Park.
“The following year, we said ‘Lets start our own,’” he said. “It’s not about me. It’s about making a difference. What I really find rewarding about this is every year, when I think we reached the end…that it’s run its course, we get more enthusiasm from the community. It’s a good thing. We’re more than happy to pitch in.”
Paul Sokol, a department chief of the New Hyde Park Fire Department and a volunteer firefighter, said he appreciated what the community and the Boy Scout troops were doing for his son.
“It’s great what they are doing for James,” said Sokol. “It’s been hard since he was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Leukemia in January and to see the community and the boy scouts come together like this in solidarity is a wonderful thing.”
The Boy Scout team’s goal was to raise $2,500 for the cause. To date they have raised $4,955 and the funds are still coming in.
Rich Forestano
contributed to this story
