Oswego State Athletics and the Oswego community are aiming to hit a $1 million fundraising goal for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation this spring.

“After sixteen years, we’ve raised $927,000. So, we are $73,000 away from hitting $1 million. Which is pretty amazing for a community like Oswego,” said Daniel Witmer, the athletic department’s community service event coordinator and the assistant men’s lacrosse coach at SUNY Oswego.

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation “is a volunteer and donor-powered charity” that raises money for “research to find cures for childhood cancers,” according to its website.

The fundraising initiative began in 2006 while Witmer was the head men’s lacrosse coach, and an alumnus approached him about the St. Baldricks foundation, Witmer said. The lacrosse captains at the time liked the idea, and in the spring of 2007, about 37 lacrosse players shaved their heads and raised $11,000. 

“It was a tremendous success. And we thought, ‘$11,000, we can’t possibly beat that,’” Witmer said. “Then we did it again the next year and raised $17,000. Then we did it the next year and raised [$20,000].” 

As a fundraiser for the St. Baldrick’s foundation, individuals can sign up as a “fundraising participant” or a “shavee.” As fundraising participants, people collect donations through their online page, typically from family and friends. It is the same for shavees, except they shave their heads to raise additional money and awareness, and to stand in solidarity with children that lose their hair during cancer treatments, according to the St. Baldrick’s website.

As the years went on, the event grew beyond the men’s lacrosse team, Witmer said. Other members of the Oswego community became involved, such as minor hockey teams and local police and firefighters. The event is now advertised as all of Oswego County, as other communities like Fulton and Hannibal have become involved.

“It went from being a lacrosse team thing to a community event,” Witmer said. 

He added that the most successful year to date was 2015 when the event raised $97,000. 

Although donations and fundraising occur year-round, the “culmination point” of the event is April 16 at the 17th annual St. Baldrick’s Day in Oswego County, Witmer said. Held at the Curtis Manor in Oswego, with hugs, smiles and tears aplenty, this is the day shavees shave their heads.

“At times, it’s pretty emotional,” Witmer said. “There’s a lot of smiles, but there’s a lot of tears, too.” 

Often, shavees are honoring loved ones that have battled cancer, Witmer said.  

With the million-dollar goal so close, Witmer is reaching out to as many organizations as possible. 

Witmer said he would “love” for other groups to get involved, such as sororities, fraternities, and club sports teams.

Any group, organization or business on Oswego’s campus or in the community can make a group and start fundraising or support an existing one. 

Witmer said that reaching $1 million would be “very gratifying” and that the goal is achievable, as the event has raised $72,000 or more in seven of the last 11 years. 

As of Feb. 22, the Oswego event has raised $12,540 towards their $75,000 goal, with men’s lacrosse raising about $6,500 and the Fulton Police Benevolent Association about $3,400. 

Anyone interested in supporting the event can find Oswego’s event page on the St. Baldricks website. Questions or inquiries about the event can be directed to Witmer via email at daniel.witmer@oswego.edu.

Disclaimer: Abigail Conpropst is participating in this event as a fundraising participant. 

Photo provided by: Daniel Witmer