Why Bald?

I am so amazed by the support from all our friends for this fundraiser. Many have donated to give a hand to a family in need in San Francisco. To date we have reached a little over $2,000!!! While $2K was our original goal. I was dreaming of $5K. It doesn't hurt to overachieve!

Some have asked, "Why go bald?" and "How do you know the Fields Family?"
Here's your answer...

Why go Bald?
Shaving my head has proved to be invaluable while trying to live in Paris when I don't speak French. The local merchants are extra nice to me and allow my Spanish/English/French to fly and still serve me with a smile. Although I am afraid that like the merchants, some of you may have thought that I was actually going bald raising funds for Cancer treatments or the like. That is not the case, and I have to eloquently say, "I don't have Cancer. I shaved my head to raise money for a family in San Francisco, basically because I'm not going to run a marathon."... but in French.

Although to the merchants I have been able to respond in French, "pas de sac," as I do carry my own bag and refuse to add another plastic bag to the world's collection (perhaps another movement for another time). At any rate, I'm bald because I was neither going to run a marathon, walk 10 miles, nor swim the Bay. And I am bald to make a loud statement that while we live our normal, everyday lives, at some point there could be a tragic accident, even a homicide, that creeps into our quotidian struggle and which we would have to live with until we learn to cope. So, I am in Paris to live, write, read and cope with my baldness, lack of French, and closure to my tragic past.

Hopefully in the end, we have made one family a little happier.

How do you know the Fields family?
Simple answer: I don't! But I'll tell you the story of how we found them. Yes, "we", or more precisely, Jessica C. In August, I hired Jessica C to help research and find a woman in her early 20's that has gone through a tragic accident, perhaps as a Victim Witness. Jessica was on the prowl. She connected with the D.A.'s office, who led her to the SF Victim Witness Program. They, in turn, suggested the Fields Family and faxed over newspaper clippings for us to begin the project. Jessica endured weeks to months of phone chasing while the Program over-promised support in providing resources from tax deductions to donations. The confusion is understandable, as our grassroots effort is nothing they have ever heard of. No one (except us!) calls up the Victim Witness Program and says, "I want to raise money for a specific person/family and not just the Program itself."

So, Jessica moved on and found another newspaper article that led to the Calvary Hill Community Church, where they began a Fields Family Fund. They too were skeptical of our cause: as we later found out, someone else had done something similar via the Church for the family, but did not share the funds. Shame on them, but that is not how we roll!

Today we want to Thank You for your support. And I want to give a HUGE THANKS to Jessica for her efforts, hard work, and time spent. This fundraiser hasn't been easy for either of us.

We hope you keep reaching out to your community, live strong, love yourself and those close to you, and keep smiling during these trying times.

Special THANKS to the following people and businesses:

Calvary Hill Community Church
The Dubliner
Dalva, the Bar
the entire YouTube Ad Ops Staff
the entire BrassTax crew
Judy L
Seth W
Tony L
Ronnie G
Darby M
Meri G
Gina L
Becky R
Talia D
Jonathan S
Kenji A
Marisa R
Nick G
Rachel C
David L
Carolyn C
Jason H
Aileen B
Stefani S
ShOOey
Matthew K
Josh S
Nick S
Winnie C
Margaret B
Andrea L
Ding Dong
and of course....
JESSICA C