Granite’s 6th Annual ‘Saving by Shaving’ Event Raises $6.5 Million for Pediatric Cancer Research
**Editor’s Note: Channel Surfing spotlights the community involvement/service efforts of individuals and organizations in the channel.**
Quincy, Massachusetts-based Granite Telecommunications, a $1.4 billion provider of communications services to multilocation businesses and government agencies, announced that more than 1,000 people shaved their heads in the sixth annual “Saving by Shaving” event, raising $6.5 million for pediatric cancer research at Boston Children’s Hospital. The event took place April 3.
Granite CEO Rob Hale, along with Granite teammates, families and friends, were joined by community leaders, celebrities and athletes, including Massachusetts Gov. Charles Duane Baker Jr.; Quincy Mayor Thomas P. Koch; David Ortiz (Big Papi), former Major League Baseball designated hitter and first baseman for the Boston Red Sox; Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins legend; and New England Patriots players, past and present. Check out some of the famous names and faces in the gallery below.
“Today the record-setting turnout for our sixth ‘Saving by Shaving’ event is a reflection of the love our team and our community has for Boston Children’s Hospital and the work they do around the world,” said Hale. “I couldn’t be more proud to be a Granite teammate. I was truly impressed by the celebrities, athletes and dignitaries that came out to help us support Boston Children’s. Thank you, everybody.”
| Channel Partners’ “Channel Surfing” series spotlights the community involvement/service efforts of individuals and organizations in the channel.** |
“I hope you know you’ve contributed to something powerful,” said Dr. Kevin Churchwell, executive vice president of health affairs and COO of Boston Children’s Hospital. “By impacting the future of pediatric cancer research, you’re making futures possible for countless children who will pass through our doors.”
For each person who shaves their head or donates at least 8 inches of their hair, Granite donated $2,500, which was matched dollar for dollar by the Hale family, for a total of $5,000 per head to fund pediatric cancer research at Boston Children’s Hospital.
All locks of hair will be donated to Hair We Share, which creates custom wigs free of charge for those affected by medical hair loss.
In addition, a donation of $100 was made for every “chemo cap” (a hat for cancer patients who’ve lost hair due to chemotherapy) created by the Granite Fiber Art’s team. This year the team handcrafted 451 hats for children and adults.
The “Saving by Shaving” event also was supported by Granite’s business customers and local businesses, such as celebrity chef Paul Wahlberg of Wahlburgers, who provided food for the volunteers, plus professional barbers and stylists, who donated their time and expertise.
The “Saving by Shaving” event was closed to the general public, but Granite encourages like-minded individuals to support funding for pediatric cancer research by donating to the Boston Children’s Hospital Trust.
In the past six years, more than 8,000 people have participated in the “Saving by Shaving” event by shaving their heads and donating their hair, raising more than $28.5 million for charitable organizations. This year’s event coincided with Mayor Koch’s presentation of the Marquette of John Hancock to Hale in recognition of outstanding community service.
“The generosity and benevolence that this organization shows with Rob [Hale’s] leadership is just incredible,” said Mayor Koch. “So, we wanted to honor him and the organization today with this John Hancock Marquette. A lot of people don’t realize the history of John Hancock and what a charitable giver he was at the time, and I think Rob Hale fits that mold.”
Mayor Koch also expressed thanks for Granite’s impact as a corporate citizen and a top employer in Quincy. Granite employs 2,100 teammates nationwide, with a significant number located in Quincy.
Granite’s annual “Saving by Shaving” fundraiser began five years ago when CEO Rob Hale jokingly dared a member of his team to shave his ZZ Top-style beard in exchange for a $1,000 donation to a cancer hospital. Over the next two weeks, hundreds more Granite teammates reached out to Hale asking for the same opportunity to raise funds and shave their heads or beards in solidarity with those undergoing chemotherapy. From there, 428 teammates turned out at Granite’s first “Saving by Shaving” event and raised more than $2.2 million to benefit Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Granite has been a sponsor of the veterans’ initiative at Channel Partners since 2017. Next week’s Channel Partners Conference & Expo will be the fifth consecutive conference for which they have provided sponsorship.
**Have a community outreach story you’d like to share? Send it to [email protected].**
Celebrity chef Paul Wahlberg — co-owner of Wahlburgers with brothers Mark and Donnie — shaves the head of his nephew, Brandon Wahlberg. Wahlburgers also donated food to the event volunteers.
Ted Karras, two-time Super Bowl Champion with the New England Patriots, gets his head shaved.
Joe Thuney, two-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, has his head shaved during the "Saving by Shaving" event.
Sam Kennedy, president of the Boston Red Sox, is good to go after meeting his "barber" David Ortiz (Big Papi).
David Ortiz (Big Papi) shaves the head of Sam Kennedy, president of the Boston Red Sox (center), while Governor Charles Baker (left) and Granite CEO Rob Hale (right) also lose their locks to raise awareness and funds for Boston Children's Hospital.
David Ortiz (Big Papi) and Granite CEO Rob Hale present a symbolic check for $6.5 million to Dr. Kevin Churchwell of Boston Children's Hospital. Freshly shorn onlookers and supporters include New England Patriots Joe Thuney, Derek Rivers and Ted Karras; Boston Bruins legend Ray Bourque and Boston Red Sox President Sam Kennedy.
After participating in the sixth annual "Saving by Shaving" event on April 3rd, Quincy, Massachusetts Mayor Thomas Koch (center) presents the Marquette of John Hancock to Granite CEO Rob Hale (right) and COO Rand Currier (left).
