“What do The Rock, Vin Diesel and Mr. Clean have in common?” a flier posted in Baumer Hall reads. “Bald.”
This past Sunday, residents of Baumer Hall shaved their heads during the second annual Baumer Buzz to raise money for St. Baldrick’s Foundation, that supports childhood cancer. Twenty Buccaneers signed up to participate, and a few more were inspired to trim their hair on the spot.
The event encouraged the volunteers to reach out to friends and family for donations in exchange for a sacrifice of self-image. Baumer Buzz organizer, junior Bryce McDonnell, said Baumer Hall was nearing its goal of raising $10,000.
McDonnell kicked off the event with a prayer and statement of intention.
“Let’s remember who we’re serving, which is the St. Baldrick’s community which outreaches to different children’s hospitals across the world and provides research funding and also funding for the mentors of children who are suffering from cancer,” McDonnell said. “This is a cause that’s near and dear to my heart, and I think you guys supporting through cutting your hair is just super special.”
Richard “Mazz” Mazzei, Baumer Hall’s minister-in-residence, was the first to get shaved. Mazzei said he was excited to see the hall come together and was overall, “just happy to be involved” with the cause.
“I reached out to my family back home in Boston,” Mazzei said. “Anytime you can help children, I think it’s awesome.”
Luke Brady, a junior in Baumer Hall, said awareness of the event spread quickly — especially with mothers on Facebook.
“I decided at the last minute during Easter break that I was going to buzz it,” Brady said. “I just joked about it with my parents, and they said, ‘Yeah, you should go for it.’ I didn’t think that I would raise a bunch of money, but it ended up being my mom who shared it on Facebook, and it did really well.”
Junior John Healy, another volunteer, said the shaving was more than just a fundraiser. For Healy, it was a “sign of solidarity.”
“I think the most important part of this is exercising solidarity with those who don’t have a choice about keeping their appearances because they’re undergoing chemotherapy,” Healy said. “It’s a very good exercise to practice ‘dying to self’ and not caring as much about your appearance or trying to be caught up in how you look. The important part is what’s on the inside.”
McDonnell echoed Healy’s sentiment about solidarity, adding that the shaving was also a chance for the Buccaneers to “become a part of something bigger than themselves.”
“[Volunteers are] sacrificing their own image of self so that we might provide a better image of what it’s like to be in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are suffering in this world,” McDonnell said. “Even if we raised $10, I think the more important thing is what we’re doing as a result of the event here today, which is going around campus afterwards and acknowledging that we are buzzed and bald and we are proud of it because we’re representing something.”
While the Baumer Buzz was a hall-exclusive happening, an upcoming event, The Bald and The Beautiful Notre Dame, is an opportunity for students, faculty and community members of the tri-campus get buzz cuts to support the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.
Baumer Hall buccaneers shave their heads for childhood cancer
Luke Brady and John Healy buzz their heads during the 2023 Baumer Buzz, which raises money and awareness for children battling cancer.
Luke Brady and John Healy get their heads shaved during the 2023 Baumer Buzz, which raises money and awareness for children battling cancer.
