Number. One. In. The. World. You can watch a recap of our St. Baldrick's Assemblies here.
The affectionately named Lincoln/Emerson Baldies raised a staggering $447,000 and counting. You can still help us get to our goal of $500,000 for childhood cancer research by following this link and donating.
As of writing this, D64 has the top St. Baldrick’s event in the WORLD, and it is the most successful one we’ve conducted.
Lincoln and Emerson each had a head-shaving assembly this week, and they were inspiring.
Quinn Ronan, a 7th-grader at Lincoln, raised more than $9,000 and was the top individual fundraiser in the District!
"It feels good to be able to give so much money to childhood cancer," said Ronan. "I can't imagine what a kid would have to go through with cancer at such a young age."
More than 300 students and staff shaved their heads. We are amazed by our middle school students and what they accomplished with the community’s help.
“It’s just such an awesome assembly because 100% of our community is invested in it,” said Emerson Principal Dr. Samantha Alaimo. “For those two hours, we are one school, one district. We’re not two separate entities,” added Dr. Alaimo on Emerson and Lincoln working towards the same goal of helping children with cancer. “We’re one middle school community coming together.”
“I think the great thing is that everybody came together,” said Lincoln Principal David Szwed. “Not only was it the students and staff but the community as a whole. It’s really great to be a part of this community where everybody comes together for a cause like this.”
Long-time Lincoln teacher Jim Tebo has been the driving force behind these events bringing the idea to Lincoln back in 2011. With Tebo's help, we've raised more than $1.2 million throughout the five events.
"It means a lot," said Tebo as he dawned a freshly shaved head. "That's what this whole town of Park Ridge is. This is a town that rallies, and they band together, and they support. That's the reason why I've spent 34 years of my life working here in this District."
Tebo reflected on how big of an impact fundraising like this does on helping children. "Hopefully, one day, they'll hear those words, 'Hey, we've got a cure for you.' That's been the goal from the start. I was lucky when my daughter was diagnosed back in 2011. The doctors came to us and said, yes, she's got cancer, but what she has, there's a treatment for, and she's going to fight her way through it and she'll come out the other side. And she did."
"I just want all kids to hear those words, 'Hey, we have a cure for you. There's hope. Hang in there."
PHOTOS: From Lincoln's Assembly
PHOTOS: From Emerson's Assembly