While the rest of the world was busy dumping ice over their heads, five brave souls in Lansing cooled off their heads the hard way — by shaving them to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters Michigan Capital Region (BBBS).

Jamie’s BBBS Little Sister Shelby got to take the first swipe with the clippers, and two of her sisters joined in for later swipes.

BBBS matches kids in Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, and Shiawassee counties with adult volunteers who act as mentors and offer one-on-one quality time. I think by now most of us know how it works: “Bigs” and “Littles” are carefully matched based on “location, personalities, and preferences.”

Our local organization has a better-than-normal success rate of keeping adult and child pairs in long-term matches. (A sibling’s “Little” has been a part of our family for many years, long after their official BBBS match ended.)

Unfortunately, as Executive Director Phillip Knight told those of us who attended the “Big Buzz,” the local need for BBBS matches far exceeds the available resources. BBBS staff have to tell kids “no” every day. Not “wait,” but “no.”

Longtime BBBS board member and Big Sister Jamie Schriner-Hooper challenged friends and family to shave their heads if they could collectively raise $20,000 for the organization. Three friends, Cecilia Garcia, Jess Knot, and Sam Short, and her sister, Summer Schriner, took her up on it. They haven’t quite reached their goal, but they have over $16,000 and they are still busy collecting donations. Last Wednesday, in front of a patio full of people at Zoobie’s Old Town Tavern, the group let people take turns buzzing off their hair. Some raffled off the opportunity to shave their heads, drawing cards to see who would be next.

Ellie Wong cut Cecilia’s hair off in long ponytails so it could be donated.

Friends, family members, and partners joined in as each participant took a turn adding their locks to the pile on the ground. Reverse mohawks, mullets, and moustaches made of ponytails were just part of the festivities.

Because this is Lansing, you can always count on folks to get involved in the work behind the fun. Photographer Jena McShane took photos. The Head Room Salon did some badly-needed clean-up after the volunteer “stylists.” Zoobie’s donated 25% of their evening sales to BBBS.

Bravo to this wonderful group of new baldies. And to all those who financially support BBBS and volunteer their time as Big Brothers and Big Sisters. It’s not too late to make your own donation.

Photo: Jena McShane, McShane Photography. After a few clipper passes had been made on his head, Sam offered to leave his hair the way it was for a week for a $1,000 donation. When no one took him up on the offer, he reduced the price by $50 with each pass. At $500, audience member Mike Ware took him up on the offer. It looked truly awful. If you recently saw someone with the worst haircut you’ve ever laid eyes on, it was probably Sam. I’m sure he is very relieved to be bald after a week rocking random chunks of hair.

Big Buzz participants before the big cut.

Not all of the hair was long enough to donate. You might find some blowing around Old Town.