By Nathan Duke
Staff Writer

Residents are offering Auburn Fire Chief Bruce Phillips hundreds of dollars to get a haircut, but not because he has out-ofcontrol hair.

On Saturday, Sept. 17, at 3 p.m., Phillips will arrive at the Wild Rover on Kosciuszko Street in Manchester, where his sister-in-law, Rita Cote, will shave his head completely bald.

The chief decided to take part in nationally-recognized St. Baldrick's, an Irish-themed benefit program that raises money for childhood cancer research. To take part in the program, volunteers must raise money through donations and shave their heads.

Phillips said his original goal was to raise $500 through donations. However, after he easily raised that amount, he bumped his goal up to $750, which has also been surpassed. The chief currently has raised $800 and has no intention of stopping until the day of the haircut.

"I have been given a lot of support for this," he said. "I guess a lot of people really want to see my head shaved." Phillips decided to take part in the program after he heard about it from Manchester's Andy Byron, a firefighter from Engine 11. He said several other area firefighters are taking part in the program and that local departments are a close-knit community, in which programs like St. Baldrick's can be easily spread by word of mouth.

The chief had a table set up in Auburn on Saturday, Sept. 10 during the town's duck race and the day's events, at which residents could make donation pledges for the benefit. Phillips said there will also be silent auctions at the Wild Rover on the day of the shaving. Prizes will include overnight ski trips, home improvement items, seacoast attractions and several local vendors will donate gifts.

Phillips said his family has been very supportive of his involvement with St. Baldrick's, and that they will not mind his lack of hair for a period of time.

"My wife told me, 'If you want to shave your head, then shave your head,'" he said. "I can spare a little hair for a while because it is for a good cause."

He said he decided to hold the event at the Wild Rover because it is one of his favorite hangouts and because it is an Irish bar and St. Baldrick's is an Irish-themed program. Phillips said he will likely indulge in a few glasses of Guinness before he allows the shaving to begin.

However, there is one place he draws the line - his mustache.

"I've had some big offers, but it is not coming off," he said. "I've had it ever since I could grow a mustache, so I am not getting rid of it. No one will see me without it."