On the night of the Shave, both of our cameras were out of commission. Luckily, Larry stepped in to snap these pictures. All of them are from before I broke out the razor. I have one more post-Bic picture to post and a special mohawk picture for those of you who remember my punk days.

There's one bag of chips left. There was $27.50 worth of chips, but there was $48.80 in the till. Thanks so much to everyone for the contributions.

We are so close to being over the top! Remember to put in your pledge at Steve's site.

Over the Top?

Thanks to everyone for all their help and donations. Thanks also for spreading the word - that has been the biggest help of all. The head has been shaved now and is growing back fast. I even shaved three days after the event to keep the bald dome longer.

Many have asked how the fund-raising is going this year and I have said, "It looks like the biggest year yet!". I continue to say that, though we are just a few dollars shy. So if there is a pledge waiting on payment (three right now) or you have been waiting to put the fund-raising over the top, now is the chance. I will post the pictures of the shave when we go over the top.

There are still Chips left for everyone here at work. This has gone way beyond my expectations ($40 and climbing and there are still half a box of chips left!) They are in the Cafe just across from the Blue Room, so dig in (and take some chips! I'm not complaining about the extra cash, just have some chips as well!)

It's not too late....

It has been very busy since I last posted. I am actually in a lunch meeting now - multitasking. The big news is tonight is the night for the shave!

Today is not the last day for donations though! I will continue to accept donations. If there is a pledge amount you have in mind, please let me know. There are still other opportunities to contribute. The snacks at the office have been very successful so far. I may put a few out in the cafe as well. After the Shave, I will post information about donating for ad space on my head (yes, ad space on my head). Also, I am coming up with a scheme for a chance at a cheesecake, pending a run in the "test kitchen".

Lastly, thanks to everyone who contributed in any way, told their friends, bought chips or had positive thoughts about this endeavor. All the details are not in yet, but it looks like contributions are greater than last year and may exceed the first year.

Trickle of Pledges and Contributions

There has been a trickle of pledges and contributions coming in since day one. Thanks to everyone who has contributed! The secure online donation site is just a click away - see the previous blog for instructions. If you see me, cash or check (made out to MS Society for instant receipt for tax purposes) is fine too. If the time is not right now, feel free to email or let me know a pledge amount.

Kelaine's website has a hint to just some of the fun I have planned. I am going to try the cheesecake recipe that has made Steve's pledge drive so famous (top-secret recipe for top contributors). I have not tried the recipe yet, though I have tried the result and it is incredible. I have an Alton Brown DVD with some tips and tricks as well, so I figure I can't go wrong. More news to come on this.

I plan on offering snacks in the office for a modest price for some of your spare change as well. Watch for an email.

Thanks for all of your support!

How to donate

Wow! What a great response already. Unfortunately, most have responded with "How do I donate?" I have updated the links on the left for Steve's Donation site. Steve Stetler is the in the middle of the picture on the the left and the man who got me started in all of this by riding 150 miles in two days. This is all to help him and his team with fund-raising for a great cause. Just click on the "Donate to Steve" button at the top. If online donations are not your thing, send me an email pledge or send me the pledge in the mail. Make out checks to "MS Society" and get the tax benefits as well. Any donations directly to the MS Society would also be great, though Steve and his team can't count those in their total. Either way, please leave a comment and let me know how much you are donating - just for my records.

Next blog is all about surprises....

Kicking off 2007's Shave

Here we are again with another year of head-shaving, fund-raising fun! Steve has already completed his 150 mile ride for MS, so we are really starting late! As some know, I had planned on getting an early start this year. Sometimes life gets in the way....

Less than a month ago, my wife Kelaine was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. This is a bit ironic, since the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is where I got the idea to Shave my Head for MS (more on that later). Between doctor's appointments, Gilda's Club and keeping our family healthy and rested, we have postponed our start time for the MS fund-raiser. After much prayer and discussion, we have decided to continue with the fund-raising for the MS Society. Kelaine wants to do something for those people living with MS every day that will not have the treatment and remission like she will experience living with Lymphoma. Ask for an invite to Kelaine's personal blog for more on how she is doing. Also see the links to the left for more information on Gilda's Club, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and MS.

I am keeping the pledge period short this year: two weeks, so get your pledges in early! We have lots of fun ideas to make up for last years pledge deficit - about $300 short - so keep coming back for more information. There will be additional fun and maybe even prizes!

No more hair tonight!

I have confirmed that tonight, around 5:30, is the night. Please let me know if you plan on stopping by.

Shave Date

So many people asked if they could contribute after the deadline. Absolutely. Steve's deadline is for the Grand Rapids ride. My deadline arbitrarily follows his. Feel free to make your donation directly to the MS Society or I will get the donation to Steve for his next ride.

So all deadlines having past it is time to Shave. I have not received confirmation from my shaver, though it looks like Tuesday night, 29 August is it. I have no big plans, just a quiet shave at home. If anyone wants to be there, let me know and I will send directions.

I will post the final tally when all donations are in. I was low this year. Last I heard Steve was within $50 of last year's donations.

Competition heats up

"So Today I woke up and realized that I am having a bad hair day. With that in mind, I've decided to pull a spontaneous Dan Mish move and attempt to raise a little money for my favorite charity..."Christian Horizons Inc. (CHI)". A camp for adults with Developmental Disabilities.
[...] The only difference, between Dan's plan and mine, is I am not going totally bald (unless I raise some huge amount of money like $1000) and I am going to do it TODAY." - Rob Steele 3 August.

For those of you who have not had the pleasure of meeting Rob, he is a co-worker who has been my sole challenge to the title of male with longest hair. For one year he has held the title. The King is dead! Long live the King! (For one more week...)
As you can see, Rob managed to raise $1,053 in pledges in one day (including a challenge pledge from your's truly)! Great job! (He didn't shave down to the skin though! 8^))

And, as a consequence, I was able to piggyback on his address list and send this blog address to more people. In that one day, I received more pledges than I had in two months. From experience, I know that most pledges come in close to the deadline. Right now I am less than halfway to my goal. Time to get your pledges in!

I would like to call for a challenge to anyone who pledged to Rob to match their pledge (it was my idea... ;)) or visit the MS Society website and learn more about MS. Also visit Christian Horizons Inc. to find out more about the great organization that Rob contributed to.

Check out this exclusive shot of Rob during the shave:

Event Date

Momentum is building, though we are still quite a way from the $1,000 goal! Please submit donations before 18 August!

I have had some questions about the event site for donations. The event date was 10 June 2006, as that is the date that Steve rode in the MS 150. He is still accepting donations to this event site. He's monitoring the site for donations and letting me know as donations arrive for the shave.

Thanks to all for the support!

Donation Deadline

Most of the people on my email list have already heard about Shave This Head Again. For those that have not, I am shaving my head for the second year in a row to raise money for the M.S. Society. The deadline is approaching fast and I have only two weeks left before the shave takes place. All donations should be made before 18 August 2006. Please make all checks out to the M.S. Society (so you can claim it on your taxes) or make an online donation at the M.S. Society secure site for Steve Stetler. Steve is a friend of mine who rides 150 miles every year to raise money for the M.S. Society. Send me an email and let me know if you pledge online or leave a comment on the blog. Please include the word Shave in the email subject line so our spam filter does not throw it out.

This year's monetary goal is $1,000. This year's ultimate goal is to get everyone to visit the M.S. Society's website and learn something about M.S.. Donations have come in very slowly this year. I have had a lot of people indicate that they would like to donate, but have not yet. Check your checkbook and make sure you really did donate! I know that unemployment is high in Michigan, raises are low and gas prices are high. If you can't donate this year, please learn something about this disease and other ways you can help. If you can donate, even a dollar or two, that is great. Still visit the website.

Thank you for your support this year and last!

Last Year's Shave

I have not heard from Steve about his ride this weekend (10-11 June). I imagine he is having a much deserved rest. Here are a few moments from last year's shave:

Since I started late, I am accepting donations for a while longer. Help me set a date for the shave by getting donations in now!

A little bit goes a long way

The first few donations are starting to trickle in...

I have had a few people ask what they should donate. That's really up to you. I figure I have talked to at least 100 people, so if each person donated $10, I would be well on the way to achieving the $1,000 goal. $16 would be a good symbolic gift for the 16,000 suffering from MS in Michigan, and it would cover the people who just can not afford a donation this year (tell your friends, pass it on, learn about MS...)

Of course, I am not discouraging the larger donations either. Maybe the largest donor wants the privilege of shaving my head himself (going once...). I would be willing to sell ad space as well for a short time ("Insert brain here"). Let me know what I can do to separate you from your money for an excellent cause.

According to the Charity Navigator website, the Michigan chapter of the National MS Society has a fundraising efficiency of $0.08 for every dollar raised and they keep administrative expenses very low. As I read it, $0.92 of each dollar goes to help those in need. Know that this money will be well spent!

Pledge online

As I did last year, I am raising money in conjunction with my friend Steve, who does all of the hard work by riding his bike in the MS 150. Steve has a nifty and secure web site, hosted at the national MS Society web server for making donations directly toward his campaign. Just log in to his website and press the ePledge button in the middle of the screen. Let me know if I should count this toward the shaved head by leaving a comment here or sending me an email. Friends can always send a check directly to me made out to the MS Society.

Find out more about the MS 150 Bike Tour on 11 and 12 of June. I won't be shaving my head at the finish line this year. I will announce a time and location on this blog, so come back for more information.

Did you know that MS is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system? There are many and varied symptoms. Read more about MS on the MS Society website.

Shave This Head Again

Well, it's that time of year again. The hair is getting long and the answer to that often asked question is finally here: "So are you going to grow out your hair again?"

The answer is: I have already grown my hair, untouched, for one year. As you can tell by the title of this page, I am shaving my head again - if I can raise some money for the MS Society.

Why? Truthfully, it was a lot of fun, as I had planned last year. The real reason I am doing it again: I learned that 16,000 people in Michigan alone suffer from MS and can benefit from what the MS Society does. I talked to so many people who are touched by MS directly or in their family. I did not even imagine that I knew that many people who are affected by this disease. Shaving my head for the MS Society and meeting with these people was a greater experience than I could have imagined.

I will continue to post to this blog with additional information about the drive, dates and pictures as well. As usual, I have procrastinated away much precious time. Please feel free to share this with friends and family. I won't be posting my name or contact information on the blog. I will send emails to trusted friends and family with instructions for sharing that information. For those of you who do not have my contact information, please make donations directly to the MS Society. I would be happy to hear about the donation on this blog.