St. Baldrick`s Day | Video

Retha Colclasure | 3/15/2013

There were a lot of people in need of a beanie as they were leaving the Bismarck YMCA this afternoon. Today was the sixth St. Baldrick`s Day fundraiser in Bismarck, an event that raises money for childhood cancer research. And the company responsible for donating beanies led one man to get involved.

There`s a first time for everything. Milt Aus works for Kupper Chevrolet, which signed on to donate beanies to those Braving the Shave during this year`s St. Baldrick`s Day.

"When I was 11, I lost a seven-year-old sister to leukemia," Milt said.

Before that, just one week ago, Milt had never heard of St. Baldrick`s Day, which raises money for childhood cancer research.

"I thought the best way I can honor her is to do this," he said.

So he didn`t hesitate to get involved. "She`s proud. It`s the least I can do."

Milt was one of more than 100 people shaving their heads at this year`s event. But his head was one of the priciest. In just a week of fundraising, he raised close to $9,000.

"I`ve gotten to know people with big hearts," he said.

That money is part of what makes the Bismarck-based event one of the largest St. Baldrick`s Day events worldwide.

"Not sure how much yet, but hopeful after this year`s event. After six years, this event brought in more than one million dollars," said Mary Klecker-Green with Basin Electric.

All of that money was raised one donation, one story, at a time.

"Exhilarating to see stories come in, all the people stepping up, waiting to do something," Klecker-Green said.

Basin Electric brought St. Baldrick`s Day to North Dakota six years ago as an internal event. It grew from there and now, their event reached across state lines.

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