The North Sea Tavern Hosting St. Baldrick’s Foundation Event On St. Patrick’s Day

This St. Patricks’ Day, The North Sea Tavern in Southampton will host a St. Baldrick’s fundraising event to benefit the national foundation in its efforts to raise awareness and funds for children’s cancer research. Jon Pirozzi, the managing partner at The North Sea Tavern, decided to host a St. Baldrick’s event based on a conversation he had with his good friend, John O’Brien–a longtime volunteer and “shavee.”

Pirozzi asked O’Brien if he planned on shaving his head for this year’s St. Baldrick’s, to which he responded that he was “on the fence.” Pirozzi then thought about hosting an event at his restaurant to spread the message of the St. Baldrick Foundation and unite the community around a wonderful cause.

“The conversation sold me on getting back into the barbers chair,” said O’Brien. “Not everyone can cycle across country, run marathons, or swim miles for charity but most of us can shave our heads! And the great thing about walking around with a shaved head is family, friends, neighbors and co-workers will ask why the new hair cut.”

To register for the event, one can go through St. Baldrick’s website or contact O’Brien directly. For those too attached to their hair, there are many other ways to show support through raffles, volunteering for the event, and donations. “You don’t have to be a ‘shavee’ to attend and we hope that people will come out, have fun, and support children’s cancer research,” he said.

According to its official site, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation raises more funds for children’s cancer research than any other group (aside from the government). The foundation started as a challenge between two colleagues: shave their heads and raise funds for kids with cancer. The first official St. Baldrick’s event was held a year later at a pub in Manhattan. Since then, St. Baldrick’s has become a popular “holiday” around the country, raising over $200 million for research and making a shaved head something more than a fashion statement – a symbol of solidarity with individuals and families impacted by children’s cancer. The Hamptons St. Baldrick’s event will be just one of over 600 head-shaving events raising funds for childhood cancer research that will be held this March.

The event at The North Sea Tavern begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 17.

The North Sea Tavern is located at 1271 North Sea Road in Southampton. To register or donate, please visit www.stbaldricks.org or e-mail John O’Brien at [email protected].