NEW JERSEY COPS ■ FEBRUARY 2014
Cops let their hair down
to help sick girl
A March 2 joint project between Hanover Township PBA
Local 128, FMBA Local 109 and the Cedar Knolls and Whippany Fire Departments, Kutz 4 Kaitlyn is a hair-shaving event
where volunteers can shave their hair to stand in solidarity with
Kaitlyn Okolita. Kaitlyn is a 12-year-old Hanover Township resident who was recently diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer. She is currently undergoing radiation and chemotherapy
and is losing her hair during these cancer treatments.
Along with Hanover Police Officer and PBA member John
Schauder, Hanover Fire Department Lieutenant Chad DiGiorgio is spearheading the event, as his daughter is the best friend
of Kaitlyn.
“I’ve attended a few events like this through the FMBA, and
we thought it would be a good idea to do a fundraiser, but
geared toward her directly,” explained DiGiorgio.
“The event’s cause is threefold,” he continued. “The Okolitas are family friends, her father was a Hanover police officer
as well as a volunteer firefighter in Cedar Knolls. Her grandfather also served the town.”
The event, which will take place at 11 a.m. at the Hanover
Township Rec Center at 15 North Jefferson Road in Whippany,
is hoping to bring in at least 200 volunteers.
“Even though we will have 12 barbers, we’ve tried to get people to preregister so we don’t have a three-to-four-hour line out
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the door,” DiGiorgio emphasized. “If we can do 200 we would
reach our goal. But more would be better.”
Details for the event can be found on the State PBA website,
the FMBA website and on Facebook.
There is a $10 minimum donation per person, and a $100
minimum donation for teams of 12.
“It’s a great way to get your entire department or Local to participate,” added DiGiorgio, who can be reached for more information by emailing kutz4kaitlyn@gmail.com or by calling
201-206-5183. d
Montclair promotions
Montclair Local 53 held promotions on Feb. 3 for three of
its own. From left: Lieutenant David O'Dowd, Patrolman
Travis Davis and Sergeant Michael DeGrazio. d