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Choppin’ locks to fight cancer Annual Mepham H.S. event raises $67K for St. Baldrick’s Foundation By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
Neil Miller/Herald
AT MEPHAM HIgH School’s ‘Chop Your Locks for Charity’ event, which benefits the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, Danielle Witt shaved her entire head, in solidarity with children fighting cancer.
The Mepham High School gym was loud and bustling once again for its annual “Chop Your Locks for Charity” event, as the entire Bellmore-Merrick school community gathered to raise awareness of pediatric cancer research. For the past 15 years, Mepham has been a dedicated supporter of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a nonprofit that raises funds to help find cures for children with cancer. Volunteers sponsored by family and
friends shave their heads, or chop their locks, in solidarity with children who may lose their hair during chemotherapy treatments. Mepham social studies teachers Kerry Dennis and Chris Patten, who instruct seniors in the Participation in Government class, organized the event. Dennis said that the first time Mepham held a St. Baldrick’s fundraiser was around 2008, and then the event took a hiatus for a few years. Since 2013, she and Patten have led the efforts, and the school Continued on page 2
Dedicated scout leader thanked for 50 years of service By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
If you ask anyone who’s part of Boy Scout Troop 225, in Merrick, what has enabled it to remain active for the past 50 years, the answer most would probably give is simple: Heywood Blaufeux, better known to the troop as Woody. The 89-year-old Blaufeux (pronounced blau-foo) founded Troop 225 in 1973, and his dedication, mentorship and selflessness have kept the troop thriving, according to past and current members, scoutmasters, uniformed leaders and committee chairs who have had the plea-
sure of working with him. Pat Ciniglio, a uniformed leader in the troop whose son Joseph completed his Eagle Scout project last year, told the Herald that Blaufeux is truly iconic. “His life is scouts,” Ciniglio said. “He loves what he’s doing, and I commend him.” Melissa Rossi, a committee chair who handles the business side of the troop, has three sons who are scouts. Rossi’s husband, David, is a uniformed leader, and her oldest son, also named David, became an Eagle Scout in January. She explained that when Cub Scouts are moving up, or “bridging,” to Boy Scouts, it’s
H
is life is scouts. PAT CINIglIo
Uniformed leader
customary for them to visit local troops, to see which may be the best fit for them. “I didn’t know anything about Troop 225 before my oldest son joined,” Melissa Rossi said. “But my husband went and, you know, looked at these troops with my son, and I feel like what (Woody) brings was a big draw for us.” She added that when prospective scouts learn that the troop’s
founder is still involved, they’re both surprised and intrigued. “He rarely misses meetings — he’s always the first person there,” Rossi went on. “He doesn’t just get himself involved with the boys, he’s also involved with the committee. He’s always got input on what we’re planning, and tells us how they’ve done it in the past. Sometimes history repeating itself is a good
thing.” Blaufeux lives in Brooklyn, and drives two hours every Monday to Merrick to take part in troop meetings. Lori Cook, whose family got involved with the troop last year, said that watching Blaufeux work with new scouts is remarkable. “He helps everyone in anyContinued on page 6