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Lily Flanagan’s Pub in Babylon Village continued its fight against childhood cancer by hosting its annual St. Baldrick’s Foundation benefit event this past Sunday.
The popular eatery at 345 Deer Park Ave. has been hosting the fundraiser since 2009 and has consistently managed to raise an impressive amount of money for the cause. Since starting the annual fundraiser, the restaurant has raised nearly $800,000.
This year’s event has already raised $75,585 towards the cause, and Lily’s is gunning for more before it’s all said and done. People can donate to the cause through the end of the year by giving online. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a not-for-profit organization committed to raising funds to help find cures for children with cancer.
“This event is always the highlight of our year,” said Lauren Salamone, the office manager of the Lily Flanagan’s Restaurant Group, during the fundraiser. “We have 33 people shaving their heads this year, the most participation we’ve seen in years, including many of our own staff members. It’s amazing to see our community come together to support such an important cause.”
The event saw local hairdressers donate their time and services to shave participants’ heads in exchange for donations towards childhood cancer research. Among the participants were cancer survivors like Frank Fox, who battled the disease over 20 years ago.
In addition to the head-shaving, generous businesses like Whiskey Neat, Del Fuego, and Sharon Nicole Aesthetics donated gift baskets filled with incredible items and gift cards for the event’s raffle. All proceeds went towards supporting the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.
“This year, our restaurant manager Sarah Gardiner is shaving her entire head in honor of her father who recently passed from cancer. She’s already raised almost $10,000, and the whole team is behind her,” said Nicole Kane, the catering manager at Lily’s.
As people gathered to watch Gardiner bravely shave her head, the anticipation of how much money was raised for childhood cancer research grew. The organizers are already planning next year’s St. Baldrick’s Foundation event, and the excitement is palpable.
Scroll down for photos from the day.
