As of September 1, 2011, ALL 1,875 retail establishments are prohibited from providing light-weight, single-use plastic carryout bags to customers at the point of sale. MORE

By Jason Islas
Lookout Staff

September 27, 2011 -- Passers-by were treated to a spectacle on Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade Saturday, as members of the police and fire departments shaved their heads to raise money and awareness for children's cancer research.

The Santa Monica Fire Department joined forces with the nation's leading charity for children's cancer research, St. Baldrick's Foundation, and with the Vidal Sassoon Academy and Barney's Beanery, which hosted the weekend fundraiser.

Firefighters decorate a fire truck outside Barney's Beanery to draw attention to the St. Baldrick's Foundation fundraiser. Photos by Jason Islas

Including pledges, this year they raised about $18,000, bringing the total since the annual event started three years ago to around $53,000, said organizer Captain Matt Norris.

“This is an outstanding event,” Deputy Fire Chief Bruce Davis told The Lookout. Davis said that he participated the first year, when he managed to raise $200.

He said that if someone wanted to double that amount, he'd have his head shaved again.

“Considering where the money goes,” he said, “it's so worth it.”

A large crowd gathered at Barney's Beanery, where they could enjoy watching firefighters, police officers and others losing their hair for a good cause.

Engineer Leigh Seaton and his daughter Kristi brace themselves to have their heads shaved.

There were even families who participated. Engineer Leigh Seaton got his head shaved alongside his daughter, Kristi. On her own, Kristi raised over $2,000 and donated her blond locks to the charity Locks of Love that uses donated hair to make wigs for cancer patients.

Seaton finishes trimming his daughter's hair for a good cause, though he does seem to be enjoying it.

Norris was moved to organize the head shaving event when a family friend's daughter was stricken with cancer.

“She's about the same age as my middle daughter,” said Norris. Though she has survived, it's been a rough road, he said.

He sees this event as an extension of the Fire Department's public service duties.

Members of the fire department respond to emergency medical calls, and as a result, they are very aware of the fact that there many families in Santa Monica who are dealing with children with cancer, Norris said.

Barney's Beanery has hosted the event for three years and Norris hopes they will again next year.

But he thinks it might be better if, in the future, the event happens every other year, “to give us a chance to grow our hair back.” Alternating years might also draw a bigger crowd and, hopefully, more money.

Since 2005, St. Baldrick's Foundation has distributed $72 million in research grants to fight children's cancer. The only other organization that gives more money to cancer research is the Federal Government, Norris said.

If you missed Saturday's event and still want to contribute, go to http://www.stbaldricks.org/teams/mypage/teamid/72525 or donate by phone at (888) 899-BALD.