Even though October, Breast Cancer Awareness month is behind us, many have a long road ahead of them fighting for their lives. By the time you finish reading this post, about six women and possibly a man will have been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Approximately one will have died !
It is with great passion that this post has been created. When most of us walk into our banks, we see a staff of people doing their jobs at their desks or at teller counters or at other places within that building.
We probably never realize there are some banks where employees step out of the realm of cashing checks and making loans to reach out to help those who cannot afford a mammogram.
The Patterson Branch of the Bank of Colorado is one of those banks. The officers and employees there have been participating in a Breast Cancer Fundraiser for the last several years by first making and selling ribbons in the bank lobbies, and later, holding bake sales and chili cook-offs. There was even a Dueling Piano Show at the Mesa Theatre. The evening was a great success ! The place sold out !
Long-haired-Buffalo-Bill-looking-vice-president, Steve Love, came to realize that here in a pretty conservative Grand Junction, many his age and even younger found his 60's, the 1860's, hairstyle shall we say..."unacceptable." He happened on a "brilliant idea" that he would get his hair cut if his critic d'jours would make a donation of maybe $5,000 to the charity of their choice.
These conversations continued here and there but always moved to other topics. One such discussion, fueled by a holiday party and a keg of beer, was overheard by co-worker and marketing guru, Amanda Singer. She had been active in Breast Cancer Awareness for years and sensed a marketing opportunity. He made a deal, continued to grow the hair, and let Amanda do the work.
Amanda says of Steve, "Being the 'ole cowboy type, I knew Steve wouldn't go back on a handshake, no matter how many drinks were involved. I started plotting and planning how we could raise $20,000 in just a month. The deal was pretty simple: $5,000 and Steve would get what I call a gentleman's haircut, $10,000 a haircut AND the beard had to go, $20,000 he would shave his head and face!"
Steve's wife, Sue, will tell you that he was never a "long hair" in college. His parents made it pretty clear that they were paying the bills, and that they did have "standards." He marveled at what The Man (coaches, bosses, and those people who like to mind everybody else's business) found "too long" by hair standards. Steve says, "So, I've been getting 'attention' for years."
Steve explains that his sons have grown their hair long on occasion, generating some interesting extended family discussions, but they were always encouraged to be individuals. He goes on to say that both of them sport short hair cuts these days.
He has several explanations for his long hair...while coaching his son's soccer team for six years, he grew his hair even longer, ignoring his critics with the excuse, "I'm just trying to relate to the kids." Another is that his barber shop closed. One explanation grabs at my heart strings...his marvelous co-worker went through an extended battle with cancer. Steve says, "She lost that battle, but my hair became a little tribute to her."
But, Amanda's scheming and plotting and planning didn't just involve Steve.
Enter Amanda's brother, Justin McCain. Being a framer, working in the hot sun, Justin wanted to shave his head back in May prior to the summer temperatures here but decided he would also love to participate in the fundraiser by donating his ponytail for this worthwhile cause.
Both gentlemen were seated and appeared a wee bit bit fidgety as Santa, and Dee from MJM Institute of Cosmetology prepare them for a shearing.
Just a few of young ladies from MJM who came to learn the skills of whacking off a ponytail...or two.
The eyes say it all...With one quick swoop of Dee's clippers, Steve's ponytail has been separated from his head, where it has been located for many, many years.
Justin just closes his eyes as Santa and Steve witness the ponytail removal. Let's just hope that Dee's eyes aren't closed.
Don't purse those lips too much. Dee seems a little clipper-happy judging by that smile on her face, and the beard might not be the only thing missing from your face.
Have I mentioned that Dee is clipper happy ? She and her buzz saw have moved over to Justin's head, and Shelby has now stepped in to work her magic on Steve.
What ear ?
Bank of Colorado President, Chris Launer, seems to have elicited some kind of painful response from Steve. Surely,it's not the haircut that hurts.
Evidently, judging by the look on Steve's face, not only is it painful, it's very, very scary !
Not to worry, Steve, there's plenty of cake to make it all better !
One for you and one for Chris.
Steve's sister and brother-in-law, Carolyn and Gene Lenderman, came to share in the fun and festivities.
Now wonder who could be sporting this hip-hair-style ?
It appears that Justin knows this lady.
Ah-Ha! Alice Lucas is the proud Grandmother of Justin and Amanda who were an integral part of this successful Breast Cancer Fundraiser.
And just how successful ? Chris presents Penny Cowden, executive director of St. Mary's Hospital Foundation this large check.
Penny poses with Robert Bray, of Bray Real Estate, who has served on the Board of Directors at St. Mary's Hospital.
Still can't read how much the check is for?
Don't worry about the spelling, it's the numbers that count !
$11,009.49 !
ELEVEN THOUSAND, NINE DOLLARS, and FORTY-NINE CENTS.
This money will be donated to the Wilma B. Bacon Mammography Center
supporting the Butterfly Fundraiser. The Butterfly Fundraiser helps
uninsured and under-insured women in Mesa County receive mammograms.
And what about the ponytails ? They will be donated to Pantene Beautiful Lengths.
The rest of these curly locks were swept up and tossed.
Justin's New Look
Steve's New Look (Nice shirt...gotta love that logo !)
Thanks to everyone who made this event happen and to all those who donated money to the Butterfly Fundraiser.
If you want to be a part of this, contact Amanda Singer at The Bank of Colorado in Grand Junction.
970-245-1600But, don't get too close to her. You may end up in The Bank of Colorado Barber Shop receiving a free haircut.
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