It’s getting hairy at NASH this month, as Facial Hair February continues into its 17th year. The four-week fundraiser has been a long-standing tradition at NASH in support of Highmark’s The Caring Place.
This year, NASH English teacher Mrs. Omasits has stepped into the fundraiser’s leading role, following founder and longtime organizer Mr. Mooney, who now teaches at Marshall Middle School.
“The Caring Place offers free support to grieving children and their families, and it’s all free for them,” Omasits explained. “There are so many students in the building who have used the Caring Place before.”
From her perspective as a teacher, Omasits has witnessed the value of Facial Hair February firsthand.
“Last year, my students had a friend who didn’t go to NA anymore, but she died right around this time of year,” she said. “So talking about the Caring Place and raising money was a way to offer support to them without even realizing that we were doing it.”
NASH senior John Voit has been on board with FHF since his junior year.
We all suffer loss and grief, and kids experience grief even more than those who are older.
— Jon Voit, NASH senior