Granite Telecommunications has raised $4.25 million for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute as part of Granite’s third Saving by Shaving event.
More than 700 Granite employees—nearly half of Granite’s total employee count—as well as Granite CEO Rob Hale, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, among other local celebrities and government representatives, shaved their heads or beards in support of cancer research. Joining Governor Baker were Quincy Mayor Tom Koch; Jim Braude, host of Greater Boston and co-host of Boston Public Radio; Greg Hill, host of the Morning Show on WAAF in Boston and founder of the Greg Hill Foundation; Ken Casey, bassist and lead singer of Boston band Dropkick Murphys; and Matthew Beaton, Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
Granite’s Saving by Shaving event began two years ago, when Hale jokingly dared an employee to shave his ZZ Top-style beard in exchange for a $1,000 donation to Dana-Farber. Weeks later, 428 Granite employees shaved their heads or beards and donated hair to Locks of Love. Granite, Rob Hale, and his mother, Granite owner and Dana-Farber trustee, Judy Hale, donated more than $2.2 million to Dana-Farber from that 2014 event. Last year’s event saw 550 Granite employees participate, along with Governor Baker and Mayor Koch, with Granite donating $3.25 million to Dana-Farber.
This year, Hale issued a challenge to team members to aim even higher, and they once again rose to the occasion.
“The success of this event is a testament to the commitment of our team members to go above and beyond to help others,” Hale said. “We’re incredibly proud that our team members have committed to participating in this campaign and we’re thankful that Governor Baker and our many special guests could once again join us in raising money for a terrific cause.”
Granite has been named repeatedly as one of the most philanthropic companies in Massachusetts by the Boston Business Journal. The company and the Hale family have donated more than $10 million to Dana-Farber over the past decade. Granite also supports hundreds of other community charities in Massachusetts and throughout the world through additional company charitable activities.
“We are grateful for the continued generosity of the Hale family and the wonderful employees of Granite Telecommunications,” said Susan S. Paresky, senior vice president for Development and the Jimmy Fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. “Their dedication and commitment to raising funds to move cancer research forward at Dana-Farber truly makes a difference in the lives of patients and their families.”
The event was supported by Granite customers and other local businesses, including Dunkin Donuts, Itzaparty, Lessing’s, Ninety Nine Restaurant and Pub, Procter & Gamble and Panera Bread. Professionals from more than 20 local barber shops and hair salons also donated their time and expertise to the event.
Further donations to Dana-Farber can be made through the Saving by Shaving link at www.myjimmyfundevent.org/2016/savingbyshaving
