Fifteen brave and generous individuals settled into the barber’s seat Saturday at Mikey’s Pour House in Wright City as part of the St. Baldrick’s fundraiser.Each got their heads shaved, helping raise a combined $3,600 to go toward research for children’s cancer.Martin Tremper, a bartender and server at Mikey’s, says he brought the idea with him from Pennsylvania, where it had become a tradition.“This is my fourth year doing it but our first time here,” said Tremper. “When I moved here I wanted to keep it going.”St. Baldrick’s is a childhood cancer research organization that raises money toward grants to help fund advancements in the search for a cure.Tremper says he was excited about the community support during the four-hour period the event took place. While many weren’t willing to give up their locks, they were willing to open their wallets in support of those getting haircuts.Among them was the entire Wright City Fire Department crew on the C Shift that afternoon. Each of the six firefighters encouraged one another to take part and solicited donations for the cause.“The organizers invited us, and it’s such a great cause that we thought it would be another way to support our community,” said Chief Ron MacKnight. “Hopefully we can get ahead of this thing and get a grasp on the fight against cancer.”It wasn’t the first time Capt. Scot Gibson had faced the clippers for a cause.“Three-and-a-half years ago I shaved my head for my mother,” said Gibson. “She had cancer and passed away about a year later. It was pretty cool to do that, and I love doing this for the kids.”While the firefighters were generous, some made an even bigger sacrifice. Lauren Patton fought back nerves with her locks falling to the ground, as she had over a foot of hair cut.“I wanted to do something to help,” said Patton. “I’ve donated it before, but I didn’t shave it all the way off, so I thought I would do it this time.”She had been growing her hair out since the beginning of last school year in August of 2016.

Members of the Wright City Fire Department got their heads shaved on Saturday, June 24, at the St. Baldrick's event held at Mikey's Pour House to help support research and awareness for childhood cancer. Record photo/ Derrick Forsythe.

Lauren Patton takes a look at the locks of hair she had cut off in support of the St. Baldrick's event held at Mikey's Pour House on June 24 to bring research and awareness to childhood cancer. Record photo/ Derrick Forsythe.