Township Assessor to Shave Head for St. Baldrick's

Ela Township Assessor John Barrington has a warning for everyone: he thinks he has a "very unattractive shaved head."

Barrington recently signed up to participate in the St. Baldrick's fundraiser May 6, agreeing to shave his hair to help raise money to find cures for childhood cancers. Barrington and his 14-year-old son, Tommy, decided to participate in the event after reading a story on Lake Zurich Patch.

"It's something that we were actually excited about," said Barrington, who also serves as the commander of Lake Zurich American Legion Post 964. Barrington said it's amazing that just over the past couple of years, so many people he knows have been diagnosed with — or died as a result of — cancer.

"It touches so many people," said Barrington. "We thought that this is something that that could make a difference."

Barrington set up a personal website through the St. Baldrick's Foundation site to collect donations. He already has raised $315, largely by reaching out to friends and family.

"I definitely have been reaching out to some of the contacts I have," said Barrington.

Ultimately, he'd like to raise $1,000 for the St. Baldrick's Foundation.

"I'm hoping that the biggest problem I'll have is to keep increasing that goal," said Barrington.

The St. Baldrick's fundraiser will be held at 1 p.m. May 6 at Scoreboard Bar & Grill in Lake Zurich.

To participate, register online at www.stbaldricks.org/events/mypage/8316/2012.