Fair Haven Cop Getting a Shave for a Good Cause

Fair Haven Police Cpl. John Waltz isn’t getting a shave and a haircut, he’s getting a haircut that’s a shave for a good cause. And he and several other people kids look up to as community role models are getting the shave on Saturday at what has been dubbed Shave a Hero.

It’s all being done in the name of funding for childhood cancer and providing assistance to affected families in need. The Middletown Fire Department has collaborated with Infinite Love for Kids Fighting Cancer for the family-friendly fundraising event during which the main attraction will be watching those thought of as “big” heroes (firefighters, police officers, school principals and community kids looking to help) having their heads shaved by little heroes — childhood cancer survivors.

The event will be held, rain or shine, on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. at the Community Firehouse Station #4 at 75 Appleton Avenue in the Leonardo section of Middletown.

In addition to the main attraction — the big shave — there will be be food, games, music, face painting and more.

The story of Infinite Love … 

Seven-year-old Natalie Grace Gorsegner was diagnosed with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia in August of 2012. She underwent over two years of aggressive chemotherapy and has been in remission since November of 2014.

While the Gorsegners are grateful for their daughter’s survival, they know all too well that many families do not share their same good fortune as childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease for children in the United States; and, funding has been extremely limited. In more than 25 years, only three new drugs have been developed for any type of childhood cancer, organizers said statistics show.

Through their grassroots foundation, Infinite Love for Kids Fighting Cancer, the Gorsegner’s have made it their mission to continue the fight against childhood cancer, mainly seeking research support, but also helping the families of young fighters both emotionally and financially.

In the past four years, the foundation has awarded more than half a million dollars in research grants to some of the nation’s top leading research facilities and hospitals. Funds have come from individual, business and group donors.

** Food/beverage bands will be sold $20/person, food/water bands will be $10/person and kids 12 and under eat for FREE (no advance sales). Any shavee who raises/donates $20 or more will automatically receive one food/beverage band.**