IF YOU GO¦ What: Jack's Chattanoggins at Chattanooga Market.¦ When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, June 1.¦ Where: First Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Reggie White Blvd.¦ Admission: Free.¦ Phone: 423-648-2496.¦ Website: ChattanoogaMarket.com.ON THE EPB STAGE¦ 12:30 p.m. Angela Easterling¦ 2 p.m. John Lathim & Michelle Young
On his website, 15-year-old Jack Skowronnek calls himself "just an ordinary teenager." But in five years, he has raised tens of thousands of dollars for children battling cancer.
He expects to raise a few thousand more Sunday, June 1, as his signature fundraising event, Jack's Chattanoggins, returns to Chattanooga Market. As an added bonus, the author of the book that inspired Jack's charitable endeavors will join him for an author event Saturday, May 31, at the Chattanooga Public Library.
Jack was 10 when he read Jordan Sonnenblick's "Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie," which tells the story of a 4-year-old leukemia patient, Jeffrey, whose older brother, Steven, shaves his own head in solidarity when Jeffrey begins to lose his hair from chemotherapy.
Immediately after reading the book, Jack decided he had to shave his head "to show kids it's OK to be bald." Proceeds from his first two years went to St. Baldrick's, which helps fund children's cancer research.
In 2011, Jack partnered with the Children's Hospital Foundation in Chattanooga and organized Jack's Chattanoggins to raise awareness and funds for the Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders department at T.C. Thompson Children's Hospital at Erlanger.
Jack and other volunteers will shave their heads at Chattanooga Market in support of kids who lose their hair during chemotherapy. "Shavees" raise money for pediatric cancer treatment by soliciting donations from friends and family.
For more information on donating, visit www.jackshaves.org.
AUTHOR EVENT
Jordan Sonnenblick, author of "Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie," will be at the Chattanooga Public Library, 1001 Broad St., for an author event from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 31. He will be joined by Jack Skowronnek, founder of Jack's Chattanoggins, a fundraising event inspired by Sonnenblick's book. The two will speak, and Sonnenblick will sign his books (he has six other titles for children and young adults). As a preview of what happens Sunday, June 1, during Jack's Chattanoggins at Chattanooga Market, teen librarian Justin Hoenke will shave his head at 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free. Popcorn, cookies and other refreshments will be served. Door prizes will be awarded.