"This is his first year doing it and he's actually part of a Sitka team since there isn't one here locally," said Beacham of her son's participation in the event. "As far as I know, he's the only one here in Homer."

Photo provided Colton Beacham's dark hair disappears Friday when he has it shaved as a way to raise awareness and funds to cure kids' cancer. The event is organized by St. Baldrick's Foundation. Donations can be made online at www.stbaldricks.org.

This isn't Colton's first experience fundraising, however. As a participant in Special Olympics events, Colton, who has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, has even carried the torch in the Special Olympics annual torch run. Inspiration to shave his head in support of young cancer patients came from family friend, Nathan Young with the Sitka Fire Department.

"(Young) has done it the last few years in Sitka," Missy Beacham said. "We were talking about it and Colton said he wanted to do it, too."

After making that decision earlier this month, Colton set an aggressive fundraising goal of $1,000. As of Saturday, he'd already passed $500.

Robert Dennard, volunteer fire captain for the Sitka Fire Department whose father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer two years ago, said this would be the third year of Sitka's involvement.

"(Young) threw the idea out for us a few years ago as a fundraiser for the St. Baldrick's Foundation and we thought it was a good idea to do," Dennard said.

Last year, about 15 people in Sitka participate, raising more than $18,000. This year, the Sitka effort has grown to 18 participants.

"We have right around $2,000 pledges already, but nobody has really got after it that hard so we have to work on it hard this week and see about getting it done," Dennard said.

St. Baldrick's Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on raising awareness and funds to cure cancer in children by supporting research and fellowships. Every year, thousands of volunteers across the United States raise donations by shaving their heads in support of children diagnosed with cancer. According to information provided on the foundation's Web site, out of every dollar raised, five cents goes to administration; 20 cents is dedicated to fundraising costs, such as the Web, phones, T-shirts for volunteers and postage; and the remaining 75 cents is set aside for research. As of March 6, St. Baldrick's had raised $4 million this year.

Individuals or organizations interested in sponsoring an activity can call the St. Baldrick's Foundation, 1-888-899-2253 (BALD). Foundation personnel will provide a coach to help organize the effort.

To support Colton's effort, collection jars have been placed at Petro Express, Alyeska Tire, Scrugg's Automotive, Inner Nature Chiropractic and Car Quest. Donations also can be made in Colton's name on St. Baldrick's Foundation Web site, wwwStBaldricks.org.

Come Thursday, Colton's head-shaving, done by his mother, will be broadcast to the Sitka Fire Station via Web cam so he can be part of the Sitka event.

"It was hard to make that first decision whether to do it," Dennard said of his initial decision to shave his head for St. Baldrick's. "Last year and this year it was pretty easy to say, 'No problem.' After you've done it once, it's not so bad after that."

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibbenjackinsky.@homernews.com.