By Jeff Peters
Catholic Herald Correspondent
Parishioner gives up hair to help sick children
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Surrounded by 2,000 chain of hearts pledges, Holy Rosary parishioner Missy Wiener shows off her newly shaved head. Wiener gave up her hair to help raise more than $2,000 for the Children's Miracle Network. (Photo by Jeff Peters) |
MELLEN --The age-old saying, "use your head," was literally put to good use by Missy Wiener, a member of the Holy Rosary Parish, who vowed to shave her head if she raised over $1,200 for the Children's Miracle Network.
The Children's Miracle Network is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids by raising funds and awareness for 170 children's hospitals nationwide. They help 17 million children each year battle various diseases and injuries.
Wiener, 34, and her co-workers at the Superior Community Credit Union's Mellen branch, exceeded their goal, collecting over $2,000 in less than one month.
"It was just fantastic, people in this town are so generous," said Wiener, noting many of the contributors were members of the credit union and members of the parish. Each donor was listed on a paper "chain of hearts" displayed at the credit union.
Credit union personnel also had a lot to do with the project's success, Wiener said, citing the efforts of branch manager Sue Boley, and member service representatives Lois Thewis and Michelle Wiener.
The decision to shave her head was easy. Wiener said, "This isn't really about me or my hair, that was insignificant. It was a way to motivate members to give money to the children the Children's Miracle Network serves. It's all about those kids."
"Many of those children don't have a choice about losing their hair," she said. "They lose their hair during treatments to save their lives. Shaving my head was just a way to help them."
Employees at the credit union's main office in Superior were so impressed with Wiener's fund-raising idea, they challenged President Dave LaBrec, to do the same. "They also raised over $2,000 and he may be getting his head shaved right now," Wiener said.
So how does it feel to be bald as a newborn baby? "I think I had more hair when I born," Missy joked, "but it really isn't all that bad except when it's below zero. Then it's really cold and I need a hat."
Jenny Walston, owner of First Impression hair salon in Mellen, donated to the fund and also donated the haircut, so she had the honor of cutting Wiener's hair.
"In less than 15 minutes my hair was all gone. Another lady in the salon thought the fund-raiser was so cool she donated $100 on the spot. That was just great," Wiener said.
"This wouldn't have happened without the generosity of this community," Wiener said. "They just keep giving and giving. I am very proud to be a member of this town."
Missy and her co-workers are committed to raising even more money next year. "We have a couple interesting ideas."
It should be worth the wait.
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2003