Firespring Franchise Helps Nonprofit Raise Funds

By: Firespring | 0 Shares 121 Reads

July 12, 2010 // Franchising.com // Over $12,000 was raised during a July 8 fundraiser for the St. Baldrick's Foundation. The fundraiser was sponsored by Firespring, a website and marketing services firm that specializes in nonprofit website solutions.

St. Baldrick's began as a challenge among friends and has grown into the world's largest fundraising event for childhood cancer. Because treatment typically given to youngsters causes their hair to fall out, volunteers are recruited to have their heads shaved in public in return for pledges of financial support.

In total, 31 shavees raised funds and awareness for childhood cancer. Eleven Firespring employees shaved their heads for the cause. Two of the shavees were women and there were nine children that participated. One of the many heart-wrenching moments was when an adorable four-year old girl decided to shave her pigtails off to show her solidarity with children suffering from cancer.

The fun event occurred on the outside terrace at Red9 in downtown Lincoln. Stylists at Sweet Jane: A Salon donated their time and skills to shave heads. Firespring staff members coordinated the event and Froggy98 emceed the evening's activities. The event concluded with a concert by Cactus Hill.

Since its inception in 2000, St. Baldrick's has raised more than $41 million for the cause. Worldwide, 160,000 kids are diagnosed with cancer each year and despite tremendous progress, cancer remains the #1 disease killer of children in the U.S. and Canada.

Participants find that shaving their head is a small sacrifice in comparison to what these children endure, and want to raise money to help find a cure for children with cancer now and in the future.

Donations towards shavees at the Lincoln event can still be accepted online at http://www.stbaldricks.org/events/red9.

About Firespring

Based in Lincoln, Nebraska, Firespring provides websites and marketing solutions to over 3000 nonprofits and small businesses around the world. The St. Baldrick's website at www.StBaldricks.org is just one of the many nonprofit websites that Firespring has created.

About the St. Baldrick's Foundation

The mission of the St. Baldrick's Foundation is to raise awareness and funds to cure kids' cancer by supporting cancer research and fellowships.

St. Baldrick's began in 2000, when three reinsurance executives from New York City turned their annual St. Patrick's Day party into a fundraiser, shaving their heads in an act of solidarity to children with cancer. Therefore, the name St. Baldrick's is a fusion of 'St. Patrick's Day' and 'bald,' as the original head-shaving event took place on St. Patrick's Day.

One hundred percent of the St. Baldrick's Foundation's donations are generated by St. Baldrick's shavees, organizers, volunteers, staff and board members. Unlike many other charities, the St. Baldrick's Foundation does not receive government grants and does not raise money through mass mailings or telemarketing.

St. Baldrick's Foundation research grants help fill crucial funding gaps at medical institutions nationwide where children are treated for cancer.

You can learn more about the St. Baldrick's Foundation by visiting www.StBaldricks.org or calling 888-899-BALD.

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