Psst … wanna embarrass a police officer?

Do you want to poke fun at a sheriff's deputy?

How about teasing a dispatcher or even an attorney?

St. Baldrick's Day is coming to Oak Park Mall in Austin. Beginning 6 p.m. Monday, 26 volunteers -- men and women -- from local law enforcement, the Mower County Attorney's office and the Austin-Mower County communications center will shave their heads.

What began as a dare four years ago has become a nationwide fund-raiser on St. Patrick's Day that has raised $975,000 for cancer research and treatments efforts in the United States.

The local St. Baldrick's day fund-raiser raised $11,500 a year ago and Holten believes that total can be matched or surpassed this year.

"I hope so," he said, "It's for a great cause and we have some great people who are volunteering. They all want to help."

The National Childhood Cancer Foundation receives the proceeds from St. Baldrick's events all over America on St. Patrick's Day.

Local volunteers will have their heads shaved by Regis and Cost Cutters hair stylists. In return, supporters will donate money to the charity.

State Sen. Dan Sparks will emcee the fun Monday night at OakPark Mall.

Last year, 25 heads were shaved and one pair of legs.

"Officer Dave McKichan had his legs shaved when the employees of Kay Jewelers agreed to donate money if he would do that," Holten said.

Earning $11,500 in the first year of the fund-raiser locally was helped by a local connection in 2002, Holten said.

"Austin police officer Jeff McCormack's father, 'Mac,' was real popular with the police officers and he was being treated for leukemia at the time," Holten recalled.

The elder McCormack died of cancer months after the St. Baldrick's Day fund-raiser.

This year, Jeff Hicks, manager of the local Staples Super Store, has agreed to have his head shaved in honor of his daughter, Ally, a seventh grader, whose cancer is in remission.

But the list of volunteers is growing.

There's Lori Read, the only female and a communications dispatcher.

Mower County Attorney Patrick W. Flanagan and assistant county attorney Jonathan Olson got permission from the Third Judicial District to have their heads shaved.

Lee Bonorden can be reached at 434-2232 or by e-mail at :mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com