Sigma Chi Fraternity members participating in Chattanoggins are, from left, Alex Rodger, Adam Wilson, Cullen McCoy, Matt Wigger, Slade McGuire, Scott McMahan, James Childers and alumni Jeff Camp.

"The work of science is to substitute facts for appearances, and demonstrations for impressions."

- John Ruskin

HEARD ON THE TOWN

THE GUYS AT Sigma Chi Fraternity at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga participated in the fifth annual Jack's Chattanoggins, a fundraiser for the Children's Hospital Foundation held Sunday at Chattanooga Market. Participants shaved their heads to show support for the fight against childhood cancer.

Sigma Chi member Adam Wilson says he and his "brothers" raised more than $800 for the foundation.

"We reached out to Sigma Chi alumni, family, friends and co-workers to raise the money," Wilson says.

Most of the guys opted to get a buzzcut rather than completely shave their heads, Wilson says. Still, he says, most had a "good amount of hair" shaved for the event.

Wilson says he was approached by fellow student and friend Andy Jungels about participating in Chattanoggins.

"We set up a Sigma Chi personalized team page through the Jack's Chattanoggins website where anyone could donate to our team," he says, noting that the alumni chapter donated $500. "Working with our alumni to donate toward children's cancer research was very beneficial to raising sufficient funds," he says. "[The money] not only went to a great cause but also strengthened our alumni ties, which will allow for stronger donations for upcoming philanthropy events."

The event was started by then 10-year-old Jack Skowronnek after reading the book "Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie" by Jordan Sonnenblick. It's a story about a middle school boy whose younger brother is diagnosed with leukemia. The brother shaves his head to make his younger brother feel better about losing his hair because of chemotherapy. Jack and his mom started Chattanoggins to raise money for Children's Hospital Foundation.

For more information about the organization, visit jackschattanoogins.org.

Contact staff writer Karen Nazor Hill at khill@times freepress.com or 423-757-6396.

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