L.U. 3 (catv,em,govt,i,lctt,mo,o,t,u&ptc), NEW YORK, NY — Since 2013, the team known as the Local 3 Legends — named after their union and the location of their annual fundraiser, Legends NYC in midtown Manhattan — has recruited union members, apprentices, business representatives and retirees to raise money and awareness in a unique way: by shaving their heads bald.
Event organizer and Local 3 member Sean Glennon said, “Realizing that Local 3 members live throughout a large part of the New York metro area, we figured, ‘Why not use our network to help more?’”
Since 2005, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation has funded $340 million in childhood cancer research grants, second only to the U.S. federal government. Participants, lovingly referred to as “shavees,” get their heads shaved during live and virtual events hosted worldwide and year-round.
Local 3 Legends’ annual fundraiser usually attracts 20 to 40 shavees. Over the years, it has moved from a Friday or Saturday afternoon in April or May to September, which is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
On Sept. 23, Local 3 Legends hosted 25 shavees at their fundraiser, plus a few Local 3 members who participated remotely. Together, they raised over $190,000 and achieved their overall goal of $1 million in 10 years. St. Baldrick’s released its annual report in January, and Local 3’s fundraiser was the 12th highest grossing event of 2023, with several Local 3 members showing in the top participants’ list.
“Being a part of such a big local union, we knew we could reach out far and wide as members and show the public that we are their neighbors and we care,” Glennon said. “It’s important the public sees the good things we as Local 3 members do, and what could be more important than saving children’s lives?”
Daniel Hinton, Comm. Dir.
