A group of 28 students and school community members in Forestville took their seat and felt the buzz of a hair trimmer against their head, as they proudly took part in the fight against cancer by participating in the annual Bald for Bucks and Locks of Love fundraiser. Students packed the bleachers of the gym and hit beach balls in the air as the school band played on stage for the district’s 12th year of Bald for Bucks and its 15th year of Locks of Love.

Before the haircuts began, three students who raised the most money for the event spoke to why the event mattered so much to them. Third-grader Emma Ruffo led the way among student fundraising efforts with $1,620 raised in her second year participating in Locks of Love. Avery Rebmann was second among fundraisers and first among those participating in Bald for Bucks, while Owen Raczka was second in Bald for Bucks fundraisers and third overall.

“Cancer has touched so many of them. It’s pretty sad unfortunately, but it’s amazing that they feel like they can do something to help those people,” said Jennifer Dunn, teacher and event coordinator. “I love doing this event because it brings out the best in these kids, and they know they are helping others. It is so worthwhile to try and make a difference.”

To a round of applause, Dunn revealed a check representing the $4,000 total raised from the event. She smiled as she embraced the school Hornet mascot.

Brayden Smith, left, is the school’s all-time leader in fundraising for Bald for Bucks with approximately $14,000 raised.

“It’s awesome. It’s fantastic,” said Dunn shortly after the reveal. “We are a tiny district and it’s amazing that we come together and raise so much money.”

DJ Anthony, formerly of Kiss 98.5 FM, was the emcee for the event. From visiting many of the schools across western New York over the years that participated in the annual Bald for Bucks fundraiser, DJ Anthony has an appreciation for small schools like Forestville that do their part in the fight against cancer.

“I think it’s special no matter what school you go to, whether it’s a small school or a large school. I don’t want to say it’s extra special when you come to a school like this, but it really is,” said DJ Anthony. “It’s a small community, it’s not overwhelming with a ton of money, yet their heart and how hard they work, it is extra special coming to Forestville. That’s why I never miss it. … It’s uplifting to come here.”

Between the two fundraisers, more than two dozen students participated, along with two district employees and a parent for a total of 28 participants overall. Participants in Bald for Bucks shaved their head completely, while Locks of Love participants received less dramatic haircuts to show their solidarity in the cause. Homemade hats, bucket hats and New Era hats were donated for students to wear after the haircut was done.

Students who participated in one of the fundraisers were Emmett Barber, Deztin Carabello, Elexia Caruso, Daniel Castellano, Kamden Castellano, Alexei Dawson, Emerson Durfey, Bryan Ellis, Javien Gage, Javian Jackson, Xander Jagoda, Brody Mederski, Levi Mierzwa, Finn Muck, Nick Pleszewski, Gionni Pfaffenbach, Kellan Pryll, Owen Raczka, Avery Rebmann, Trevor Rice, Emma Ruffo, Julian Salamon, Alexander Simpson, Maddox Tenamore, and Logan Woods. Also participating was parent Amy Rebmann, teacher Allison Kwilos, and Elementary Principal Charlie Galluzzo.

Xander Jagoda, a third grade student, had his head shaved as part of Forestville’s annual Bald for Bucks fundraiser for cancer research.

“These are the good kids,” said DJ Anthony. “Every year, these kids come together and they do something bigger than themselves. I just think it’s special that they all come together and know that they are not alone in dealing with somebody that’s affected by cancer.”

The district’s top fundraiser for Bald for Bucks all-time is Brayden Smith. Now a senior at Forestville, Smith spoke at the event and assisted in the festivities.

“To come here and see that people are still carrying on what I loved to do when I was in elementary school, it means a lot to be a part of it,” Smith said.

Smith began fundraising for Bald for Bucks at a young age, but “really took it serious” beginning in fourth grade. He raised $3,000 each year in grades 4-6, then had a “big final year” of $4,400 in seventh grade. In total, Smith raised approximately $14,000 for Bald for Bucks.

But that dramatic impact wasn’t enough for Smith.

“When I aged out of Bald for Bucks, I looked for other things to do, so I went directly to Roswell Park,” Smith said.

Smith will ride in the Ride for Roswell on Saturday, June 24, to continue to raise money for cancer research. Combining his efforts from Bald for Bucks and his work with Roswell Park since, Smith has raised over $25,000 in the fight against cancer.

“It just means a lot to me because a lot of people have had family affected by cancer. It means a lot to me to be able to go out and do something,” said Smith.

Elementary School Principal Charlie Galluzzo was touched by past students like Smith to current students participating this year sharing their stories and reasons for participating.

“It kind of makes you make the connection that they are not just kids, but they are people that have lives and that have lost people,” Galluzzo said.

Galluzzo also had his head shaved during the event, his first as interim Forestville Elementary Principal this year.

“I think it’s awesome for such a small school to raise so much money and have so much involvement. This is really what it’s all about,” said Galluzzo. “I hope that it’s something that the Forestville community is always going to be able to do and support.”