For the past four years Jack Skowronnek has shaved his head for the summer but it is not to keep cool. Jack was 10 years old the first time he shaved his head to raise funds for children's cancer.
Jack does not have cancer. No one in his family or circle of friends had cancer. Jack read a book called Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick about a young boy with cancer and his family. Just like the protagonist in the story, Jack wanted to shave his head in solidarity with a child who lost his hair to cancer treatments. Dawn Skowronnek, Jack's mother, not only responded positively to his son's request but taught her son to give to the community by turning his shaving into a fund raiser. Jack's ChattaNoggins grew from a ten year old's wish to an annual event that now benefits the Children's Hospital at Erlanger's pediatric cancer programs.
Jack's ChattaNoggins will be Sunday, June 9 starting at 11:00 AM at the Chattanooga Market in the First Tennessee Pavilion. You can volunteer to be a shavee by registering online to begin gathering sponsors or you can simply sign up at the event with a minimum donation. You can sponsor a shavee through their donation page. Some shavees form teams and participate in friendly competitions to see who can raise the most funds by shaving their heads.