The St. Baldrick’s Foundation of Indian River County recognized honorees who have gone above and beyond for the foundation in recent years at a presentation on February 23, 2023, at Walking Tree Brewery in Vero Beach.
Missy Elward
Missy Elward founded the IRC Brave the Shave in 2013 after a few years as Barber Coordinator in the Brevard County Signature Shave Events. She was the driving force behind volunteerism and Shavee Recruitment. During her tenure as a Volunteer Event Organizer, IRC Brave the Shave raised just shy of 1 million dollars.
Audrey Richey
In 2015, Audrey Richey came to have lunch with Will Collins, the owner of Capt Hirams. She was so very touched by St Baldrick’s Hero, Danika, that she decided to come on stage and Shave Her Head. That year, Audrey raised more money ($16,000) to #ConquerKidsCancer; that’s more than any other woman in the entire Southeast of the United States.
Casie Shimansky
In 2018, Casie Shimansky, who had spent several years as the St. Baldrick’s Brevard County photographer, decided to Shave her head before her Wedding Day and created “Team Live Out Loud.” To date, they have raised $101,000.
Joni Mazzola
In 2021, Joni Mazzola decided she would be the “next woman” to shave and was able to raise over $12,000.
John E. King
During the first Indian River County Brave the Shave Event, John E. King with RE/MAX Crown Realty and his family have shaved as a team and have continued to do so every year since. To date, King and his family have raised just shy of $33,000.
Ron Blank
In 2014, Blank joined the IRC Brave the Shave. He championed the fight to #Conquer KidsCancer and recruited several Sebastian Lions to shave their heads. His efforts led to Lions International adding a fifth global cause – Childhood Cancer coupled with Diabetes, Vision, Hunger, and Environment. Many will recall the Lions International video featuring Will, St Baldrick’s young Cancer Survivor.
John O’Conner
John O’Conner also joined the IRC Brave the Shave in 2014. The IRC Firefighters Benevolent not only assembled a team of Shavees, but he also provided their Speakers and Sound Equipment for the Big Shave. O’Conner was the co-founder of the Fire Truck/MRap pull (with Missy Elward) held at Walking Tree Brewery, which benefited IRC’S Brave the Shave.
Walking Tree Brewery
Walking Tree Brewery is the next honoree who has hosted the Fire Truck/MRap pull since 2016, created Mulletfest (which will be on April 1, 2023), and donated more than $10,000 to IRC’s Brave the Shave.
AJ Koontz
St Baldrick’s distinguished list of honorees would not be complete without AJ Koontz, who created Team Never Quit and, to date, has raised over $102,000.
Capt Hirams
Last but very far from least, they honored Capt. Hiram’s Resort, in Sebastian. After visiting countless venues, owners Mickey Capp and Tom Collins selflessly welcomed the St. Baldrick’s IRC Brave to Shave into their home and set off an amazing, caring, loving, charitable event.
It was Capp and Collins who agreed to shave their amazing locks that set off a Sebastian/IRC charity event which we know will last until we #ConquerKidsCancer.
These honorees, angels, survivors, parents, shavees, barbers, volunteers, and donors have saved countless children’s lives.
IRC Brave the Shave Event
The Indian River County Braves The Shave event will be Saturday, March 18, 2023, from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm at Capt Hirams Resort. To date, the Indian River County Brave the Shave has raised more than 1.2 million dollars by shaving more than 500 heads.
If you would like to register to shave or volunteer to save the lives of countless children, visit IRC St. Baldrick’s web page.
