By Wendy Hayworth
Intern Reporter for the Tribune
intern@lstribune.net
Many years ago, Nick Swearngin wanted to shave his head bald. At the time he worked for his dad at John’s Barber Shop who would not allow it. Later, when his father retired and Nick bought the shop, his wife would not allow him to shave his head.
“I decided that if I did it for Hope House then no one could object,” John’s Barber Shop Owner, Nick Swearngin, said. “I just needed to come up with an idea of how to raise money for Hope House by shaving my head.”
At this time, Swearngin was a member of the Lee’s Summit City Council. He came up with that idea of “shave a politician.” The person who bid the highest would get to shave his head bald.
“I never dreamed it would turn into what it has,” Swearngin said.
Last year, the Lee’s Summit Bald Eagles raised more than $12,000 for Hope House.
Hope House is a domestic violence shelter that provides a safe space for women and children in dangerous situations until they can get back on their feet.
This year 15 people will be shaved on March 16th, at the Lee’s Summit Fire Fighter Union Hall located at 322 S.E. Douglas St. The silent auction starts at 10 a.m. and the head shaving begins at 2 p.m.
“The day of the auction, people bid on who gets to do the actual shaving of each individual’s head,” Swearngin said.
Four people have set a fundraising goal to not be shaved. If they do not reach their goal by the day of the event, their head will be shaved.
Senator Will Kraus is raising funds to not shave his head again this year. Each dollar raised will be matched up to $500.
“We have an award we added this year which is a trophy for the top earner. They get take it home with their name on it for a year as bragging rights,” Swearngin said.
In addition to the shaving of the heads, there will be a silent auction.
Billy Hite purchased two 7th row, VIP tickets to the August 3rd Taylor Swift concert that will be auctioned off. These tickets have a face value of $400 each. The concert begins at 7 p.m. with an official pre-show VIP party. VIPs will receive an autographed copy of Taylor Swift’s 4th studio album, participate in prize give away, receive a Swag Bag gift bag, and eat to their heart’s content. Taylor Swift is said to usually appear at these parties.
More silent auction items are needed. Please bring them to John’s Barber Shop at 217 SE Douglas St.
You are invited to join the Bald Eagles in the Emerald Isle Parade.
The 2013 Bald Eagles will be carried in the 1951 Historic fire truck that will be driving behind the Hope House banner. If you would like walk behind the banner contact Lee's Summit Police Officer Mark Weisemann, or show up at Lee's Summit High School parking lot at 11:00 a.m. look for the red fire truck.
Donations and silent auction items can be sent to John’s Barber Shop, ℅ Nick Swearngin, 217 SE Douglas Street, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063. Please make the checks payable to Hope House.
For the first time this year, online donations are available.
The following
Bald Eagles have an online donation page:
Rai Gatapia,
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/rgatapia/raigatapiasfundraisingpage;
Lance Cornell,
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/lancecornell/lancecornellsfundraisingpage;
Leny Sanders,
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/lenysanders/lenysanderssfundraisingpage;
Rob Binney,
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/ShaveRobsHead/robbinneysfundraisingpage;
David
Hunter:
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/davidhunter/davidhuntesfundraisingpage;
Angi Hutto,
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/angihutto/angihuttosfundraisingpage;
John Keys,
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/johnkeys/johnkeyssfundraisingpage;
Scott Koller,
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/scottkoller/ScottKollersFundraisingPage#.USp4MK4mTy4.facebookNick Swearngin,
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/nickswearngin/nickswearnginsheadshaveforhope?utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=share&utm_source=at-facebook&utm_content=mainpage#.USJVCOwV2zM.facebook;
and
Monte Stall to not be shaved,
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/montestull/montestullsfundraisingpage.
The following Bald Eagles do not have an online donation page: Shane Burgess, Eric Wiggins, Bob Nettervile, Jody Heath, Kyle Burgess, and Danny Bailey.
To not be shaved: Art Davis, Rob Ellerman, and Senator Will Kraus.
Checks should be mailed to: Lee’s Summit Bald Eagles - Fundraiser for Hope House C/O John’s Barber Shop, 217 SE Douglas, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063. Please include who the donation is for in the memo line.
