It’s Only Hair. Shave the Brave.

What would you do to help raise money for a child with a high risk and life threatening illness? Would you shave your head? Yep that’s right shave off all your hair! Could you do that? That’s what hundreds of local firefighters, law enforcement, emergency, and military personnel from Bakersfield to Merced did on Sept. 12 at Plaza Park in Visalia. The event, Shave the Brave, is held every year to help raise money for the California Law Enforcement’s Wish Upon a Star, a non-profit program that grants wishes to children throughout California. During the event volunteers had their heads shaved by professional stylists, a visual act of solidarity to honor children who have lost their hair to chemotherapy. There was also a barbecue, music, and activities for the entire family, and a ceremony honoring the 2009 Top Agency and the 2009 Top Cop. The event is a fun and often humorous (for the spectators) way to help raise money for the children who could use a little excitement in their life. Make sure to come out next year to support and raise money for them!

Fill ‘er Up! Fill the Helmut

On a typical morning commute to work you don’t usually see firefighters standing on the street corner. But on Sept. 16, firefighters stood on the corners of Mooney and Mineral King and Mooney and Noble, with their helmets in hand hoping that people would stop and donate money for the Fill the Helmet campaign, which helps raise money for the Leon S. Peters Burn Center in Fresno. The burn center is the only comprehensive, round-the-clock, fully staffed center from Los Angeles to Sacramento. Almost a decade ago, Fresno City Fire Dept. Chief Chuck Leach and Sandra Yovino, the burn center director and cofounder, came up with the idea to start Fill the Helmet. Local firefighters and the burn team help run the event—all of them know firsthand the impact it has on the lives of burn survivors. Fill the Helmet helps raise funds as well as awareness of burn prevention. This year they raised around $20,000 in the south valley and around $120,000 total. The volunteers stand at major intersections so next time you see these hard working men and women, check your purse and pocket for any spare change—and help fill up their helmet!

A Job Well Done. Police Chief Bob Carden Retires.

How much can one person do in three years to change a police department around? Well if you’re Police Chief Bob Carden you can do a lot. The Chief has retired after three years with the department but he left it stronger, more organized, and more accessible. He certainly made his time here count. He strengthened relationships with neighboring police agencies, working together to solve crimes, which also makes the department more approachable. He worked with the school district, as well as churches and non-profit groups, setting up programs for at-risk teens like the LOOP bus, the Neighborhood Youth Counselor programs, the Step Up Youth Job Program, and the PAL-Police Activities League, all helping control the gang problem. These programs and other approaches have significantly helped reduced the gang activity over the past few years. His time here has been brief but the lasting effects of what he has done will serve this community for many years to come. On Aug. 27 we honored the Chief with a good-bye reception. Thank you and congratulations Police Chief Carden for a job well done! Good luck with the next chapter in your life.

Golf for a Cause: The Tommy Elliot Memorial Golf Classic

On Aug. 14, Kaweah Delta Hospital Foundation had its 21^st Annual Golf Classic. The Golf Classic was renamed in 2004 to honor Tommy Elliot who embodied the spirit of community service. He served on the Kaweah Delta Hospital Foundation board from 1987 until his death in 2004. One of his favorite sports events was the golf classic. This year the proceeds will go toward the purchase of the da Vinci Surgical System, the state-of-the-art robotic system that improves surgical outcomes and helps patients return to active and productive lives. With the use of robotic arms, it significantly reduces the size of the incisions and provides better control and precision. This is something that will greatly benefit the valley.

Each sponsorship entitled the golfer to a spot on a team as well as a cart and beverages, a fee prize, lunch, and an awards reception. The golfers headed out at noon with a shotgun start, all of them excited to be golfing for a cause. What a great day it was to be outside playing a sport that will benefit many lives!