Special to The Star-Herald
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Grant Memorial United Methodist Church Pastor Ron Chaffee participated in the fourth annual Planet Head Day Feb. 27 at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. Pastor Ron collected pledges to have his head shaved at the event in memory of his wife, Sue’s mother, Andrea Vose, and in honor of his own mother, Marice Chaffee, a cancer survivor. “There are too many others to list that we have known over the years whose lives have been touched by this disease,” said Chaffee. “I would hasten to say that there are several friends and parishioners who are waging a courageous battle against cancer right now. I had them in mind as I participated Planet Head Day.”
Another driving force was to help the volunteers of the local C.A.N.C.E.R. (Caring Area Neighbors for Cancer Education and Recovery) organization, who was the beneficiary of the pledges, along with donations collected during the event. When thinking about what this group offers to our local residents, Chaffee said, “I love them and the service they provide to families affected by cancer. It is a wonderful ministry to which they have answered God’s call.”
Participants at the event could have their heads painted, either directly on their newly shaved head, or by donning a bathing cap. Pastor Chaffee chose to have one of the volunteers paint planet Earth on his head.
“Many have asked why I chose Earth to be painted on my head. How could I choose otherwise?” he asked. “Out of God’s great love for humankind, He provided this planet upon which we live our EARTHLY lives!”
Anyone interested in making a financial contribution to the C.A.N.C.E.R. organization can mail donations to C.A.N.C.E.R., P.O. Box 811, Presque Isle, Maine 04769.
