Humane Society hopes blues night will spark buzz donations
By Matthew Whittle
Published in News on December 10, 2007 1:51 PM
Hoping to increase the buzz around its ongoing head shaving contest, the Wayne County Humane Society is inviting residents to the Corner Coffee-house in downtown Goldsboro Friday for an evening of blues and possible haircuts.
The goal, said society vice president Jean Hollowell, is for at least one of the three contestants to be halfway home.
"We're prepared to partially buzz our hair if any of us reaches the halfway mark by or on Friday," Ms. Hollowell said. "That means one or all of us would have to raise $6,250."
The goal is for Ms. Hollowell, society vice president Barrett Parker and society board member Frances Gooden to raise $37,500 -- $12,500 each -- for the new animal shelter.
County Manager Lee Smith also has pledged to buzz his head if $12,500 is raised in his name, but he won't be participating in Friday's event.
Currently, Mrs. Gooden is in first place with $2,132. Ms. Hollowell is in second with $1,347, and Ms. Parker is in fourth with $1,000.
There is no deadline on the fundraiser, but they're hoping that a night of entertainment by regional blues artist Donald Underwood Thompson will be enough incentive for Wayne County residents to push at least one of them to that halfway point.
"I'm excited I'm in the lead, I'm just disappointed I'm not all the way there," Ms. Gooden said.
She would prefer to get all her hair buzzed, rather than just half of it.
"I'm concerned about that, but my hair is long enough that maybe I can go with just cutting the length," she said. "Maybe (the stylists) will be nice to me. I'm leaving it in their hands."
The humane society's goal is to raise $150,000 to help pay for the construction of the county's new $1.8 million animal shelter -- now being called an animal adoption and education center.
Since that pledge was made in August, the organization has raised $42,000. Another $350,000 has already been raised by other private donors.
Among the society's fundraisers are the hair drive, the sale of granite pavers that will be placed in a memorial path in front of the center and, in July, the sale of a "Dare to Bare" calendar featuring pets, petals and 18 prominent Wayne County women.
People wishing to give to the hair-buzzing fundraiser can do so at Hollowell & Benton, PA Attorneys, at 130 S. John St. and at HealtHabit Natural Foods and Wines, at 606 N. Spence Ave.
Licensed barbers and hairstylists interesting in bidding on the chance to do the shaving should contact Carla Griffin at 734-3747.
Examples of the pavers -- $125 each -- can be seen on the society's fundraising Web site, www.wchsfundraisers.org.
Donations and paver payments can be mailed to Wayne County Humane Society, P.O. Box 54, Goldsboro, NC 27533. Pavers also can be purchased online with a credit card.
Any checks or money orders should be made payable to the Wayne County Humane Society, which is a non-profit, 501c3, tax-deductible organization.
Friday's event, which will run from 7 to 10 p.m., is free, but those attending are asked to donate to one of the three contestants.
Thompson, who is known for his bluesy vocals, lively performances and colorful stage attire, sings blues, folk, early rhythm and blues, and honky tonk. Playing acoustic guitar, he will be accompanied by Jackie "Sonny Boy" Holland, who also plays acoustic guitar, slide guitar and harmonica.
The coffee shop is on the corner of Walnut and John streets.