(March 21, 2005) -- Monday morning at ELB's Cubberley Elementary School, a number of children will show up with shaved heads. In LB police stations and patrol cars, some officers and brass will be working with shaved heads.

At least seventy people in the LB area will begin the work week proudly sporting shaved heads.

They had their hair publicly shaved off on Sunday March 20 at Tracy's Bar & Grill in ELB as part of "St. Baldrick's Day" -- a nationwide fundraising effort against childhood cancer in which volunteers collect pledges and go bald in solidarity with kids battling cancer.

In LB, volunteers included:

LBPD East Division Patrol Commander Billy Quatch. (The St. Baldrick's web site credits Commander Quatch with being the third highest fundraiser at this location: $1,245.)

Here's LBPD West Patrol Commander Keith Kilmer.

If he serves any WLB gangmembers an anti-gang injunction, they'll certainly remember him.

LB Police Officers Association President Steve James (with offspring on Dad's shoulders)...

...and kids from Cubberley Elementary school.

The Cubberley kids' participation was spearheaded by two Cubberley parents: Emily Lundi Mallett (on microphone) and Tracey Skogen (left in photo, dark hair). (The kids' participation was arranged by parents, independent of LBUSD and Cubberley school.)

Emily became involved after her sister's son (her nephew) Eric confronted cancer at age 11. Several participants indicated they were taking part in Eric's memory. Members of Eric's family, including his mother and two of Eric's siblings, travelled across the country to attend the LB event.

Volunteers cited multiple reasons for taking part. Amber Brown put it eloquently: she wants to help kids.

After being shorn by electric clippers, each "shavee" received cheers from the Tracy's crowd...

...and admiration from friends and supporters.

Cubberley kids were given white caps to wear to school.

A final contribution tally for the Tracy's location wasn't immediately available but Ms. Mallet and Ms. Skogen indicated they believe this year's proceeds may exceed last year's $15,000 total.

The St. Balrick's web site (link below) indicates that on March 13, LB Fire Dept. and LB Lifeguard personnel took part in a St. Baldrick's head shaving event at Joe Jost's on E. Anaheim St., raising over $7,000.

For information on the nationwide St. Baldricks campaign: www.stbaldricks.org.