Buzz Your Fuzz will raise cancer center money

For the second year, the Buzz Your Fuzz fundraiser invites Great Falls residents to raise money in exchange for having their heads shaved, with the money split between two cancer centers.

The fundraiser, held in memory of Great Falls native and former Whitefish finance director Mike Eve, who died in 2009 of renal cell carcinoma, had been held successfully in Whitefish for two years before it migrated east to Great Falls.

Last year's event raised about $16,000, said organizer Grant Eve, Mike Eve's nephew.

"We have a similar format from last year," Grant said. "(This year) we're thinking it's going to be a little bigger event."

The date of the fundraiser has been moved a few weeks earlier to Aug. 2 to accommodate summer schedules, Eve explained. Auctioneer Zane Drishinski also has been brought on board to help with the auction.

"Last year we shaved about 20 (heads). I would anticipate 25 this year," he continued.

One of the people planning to shave their heads is Deedle Eve, whose husband, Chuck, was Mike Eve's cousin.

Deedle said she played with the idea of shaving her head last year, but when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in April of this year, she decided she needed to do it.

For Deedle, whose long, reddish-brown locks drop almost to her elbows, shaving her head has a twofold benefit — she can donate her hair to a wig-making charity and raise money for cancer patients while she does it.

"There are all these benefits — some people run, some people make things, like sew quilts. I don't have any of that, but I do have hair," Deedle said.

She's determined to make her $1,500 fundraising goal. Last week, she was well on her way but was not slowing down. She's asking local businesses that she has supported for their support now, and she says the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

"There's no not getting there," she said.

Deedle will be in for a big evening Aug. 2 at Hollis' Hi Ho. Grant said the head shaving takes place between 5 and 8 p.m., while a silent auction will continue to about 9 p.m. The Hi Ho is offering special drink glasses with a Buzz Your Fuzz logo, and, like last year, former "Deadliest Catch" star Larry Hendricks will be on hand to sign autographs and memorabilia.

"They can bring whatever they would like, and he will sign it," Eve said.

Big-ticket auction items include a hunting trip on a private elk ranch, a weekend getaway at Big Sky and jerseys signed by former MSU and current CFL football player Travis Lulay. Those three items likely will be auctioned by Drishinski, while 15 to 20 smaller items will be part of the silent auction, Eve said.

Dinner will be provided by Williams and Roberts Fine BBQ and Schulte's 38th Street Coffee House.

All the funds raised are split evenly between Benefis Sletten Cancer Institute and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle.

The Hutchinson center splits the donation between charity and its family assistance fund, Eve said. According to Joe LoDuca, chief administrative officer at Benefis SCI, the donation will go to the general SCI fund managed by the Benefis Foundation.

"Funds raised by the Buzz Your Fuzz event will be used to enhance the special care provided to patients and their families at the Benefis Sletten Cancer Institute," LoDuca said. "Past donations have supported cosmetology services, prosthetic and wig products, massage therapy and other cancer survivor programs, education and services. We greatly appreciate the support we receive from the Buzz Your Fuzz event and all those who participate."

Knowing that some of the money she raises will help cancer patients with things like wigs and prosthetics is a motivation to Deedle Eve.

"A lot of people can't afford the treatments, let alone a wig or reconstructive surgery," she said. "They go through the fight and can't afford those things — it's more devastation."

Deedle reports that her mother is doing well: the cancer did not spread to the lymph nodes and she is responding to treatment. But that good news doesn't weaken her resolve.

"If I say I'm going to get this, I'm going to get it," she said.

Grant Eve pointed out that because of the event's business sponsors, all donations go completely to charity, and all donations are tax deductible.

And, he says the evening is also fun.

"I've never seen anyone come out of the place and not have a good time," he said.

For more information, visit www.buzzyourfuzz.com.

If you go

The fourth annual Buzz Your Fuzz Fundraiser in memory of Mike Eve will be held Aug. 2 at Hollis' Hi Ho Tavern, located at 2600 10th Ave. S. in Great Falls. Head shaving goes from 5-8 p.m., with silent and live auction taking place during the evening. The party goes until close. Donations, which benefit Benefis Sletten Cancer Institute and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, are tax deductible.