By Paula Brewer
Special to the Houlton Pioneer Times
The day is almost here, but there’s still time to get your head in the game — so to speak.
The eighth annual Planet Head Day is this Saturday, Feb. 15, at the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Wieden Hall from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and the benefit promises an afternoon of community fun, festive food and a celebration of space science — along with a chance to help neighbors, friends and loved ones who are dealing with cancer.
The event is the major fundraiser for Caring Area Neighbors for Cancer Education and Recovery (C-A-N-C-E-R), a local group supporting patients and their families. Participants raise donations by volunteering to have their heads shaved or covered by cap and then painted to represent a planet, moon or other space entity.
Planet Head Day chairperson Louise Calabrese of C-A-N-C-E-R’s board pointed out that every cent raised stays in Aroostook County and is used to benefit local people.
“We’re neighbors helping neighbors,” she said. “All the money we receive stays here, and we help over 50 families a year.”
She remains astounded at the outpouring of community support that has gone into Planet Head events. “People really do pull together,” she said. “It’s a real hug in the heart.”
The organization is 100 percent volunteer-driven, Calabrese explained. “We reach out to people who have been diagnosed and try to help with travel expenses. We educate patients and their families about programs that are available to help them, and just give comfort and support from neighbors who care.”
UMPI’s Planet Head Day coordinator Kevin McCartney, professor of geology and director of the Northern Maine Museum of Science, explained recently the event was begun in 2007. Staff members wanted to spotlight NASA’s New Horizons craft, slated to reach Pluto in 2015, as well as support colleague Jeanie McGowan, museum educational outreach coordinator, who was battling cancer at the time. Each year Planet Head Day is planned around the anniversary date of Pluto’s discovery.
Featured Saturday will be many special activities and community personalities. “WAGM is helping us raise funds, and (chief meteorologist) Ted Shapiro will again do a super job being our emcee,” said Calabrese, adding that news personalities Chris Weimer and Shawn Cunningham are among those who will become planet heads for the day.
“We encourage everyone to come and do the same — shave your head, wear a cap and become a planet, or be there to watch all the fun happening, neighbor to neighbor,” she added. “It’s always lots of fun. Everyone who has their head shaved can pick out a hat from a large assortment made by the knitters from Merchants on the Corner.”
Door prizes have been added to the mix this year, and Calabrese expressed her gratitude for the gracious support of area merchants who have donated all the prize items and food.
Among the special tributes this year will be that of Tim Graham of Mapleton and son Dusty Graham, husband and son of Heidi Graham, who lost her battle with cancer just a few months ago. Calabrese said the two put a notice on Facebook that if they could raise $500, they would shave their heads and Tim would shave his beard. They reached their goal, and so will be there Saturday.
“They said they want to be able to help others like they were helped,” Calabrese said.
In addition, local Knights of Columbus members have raised money by collecting donations at all their church services. Some will shave their heads, but one Knight has a unique gift: He will shave his beard. “Apparently, he hasn’t seen his face in 30 years,” Calabrese quipped.
Participation by younger folks is a big part of Planet Head Day, and Calabrese praised efforts by area schoolchildren, particularly at Washburn District Elementary School and Mapleton Elementary School. Washburn students “shocked the life out of me,” she declared, when they raised $500 in three weeks through a penny drive.
“Each classroom from preschool to fifth grade donated their pennies,” Calabrese said. She was at the school recently and spent the entire day visiting classrooms to receive the donations and speak with the students about her group’s purpose.
“I told each one of them how important they are and that they already are volunteers,” she noted. “I wanted them to know how important what they’re doing is.”
Children can participate in a special way during Saturday’s event, as well. “This year we are having a craft table for children, so they can be part of what is happening, too,” said Calabrese. “The best part is the crafts they make can be put into our monthly Bread of Life bags.”
The Bread of Life bags are one of C-A-N-C-E-R’s special projects, offering gifts of handmade kindness to support the journey of those undergoing treatment.
“We have 60 volunteers who bake in Presque Isle, Caribou and the surrounding areas,” Calabrese commented. Each month, community members take freshly baked goods to a drop-off spot, and volunteers bag up the items and deliver them.
“It’s just blown my mind,” she added. “They donate all the ingredients and their time, and they do this all on their own. It works beautifully.”
Those unable to make it to Saturday’s festivities can contribute monetary gifts anytime. To donate, or to let the organization know of anyone who has been diagnosed and could benefit from their outreach, call Calabrese at 764-0766, organization president Sue Nickerson at 764-6826, or treasurer Craig Green at 762-6500.
Also on C-A-N-C-E-R’s board of directors are secretary Susan Black, Kathy Maynard, Alexis Madore, Bill Guerrette and Sue Levasseur.
