'Granite's most special day': Short cuts go a long way at 'Saving by Shaving' charity event

QUINCY − Gov. Maura Healey stood behind New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty, who sat draped in a blue barber's cape emblazoned with the Granite Telecommunications logo. She cautiously buzzed the contours of McCourty's already closely cropped head.

"Governor," said former Patriots offensive guard Joe Andruzzi, who sat two chairs down receiving his own shave, "you can't cut his ear off. There's not much left!"

The exchange took place Tuesday morning in the atrium of Granite Telecommunications at 150 Newport Ave., where about 20 local hairstylists set up chairs for the the 10th annual "Saving by Shaving" charity event. The event has raised more than $50 million for Boston Children's Hospital's "Every Child Fund" over the past decade. Granite CEO and philanthropist Rob Hale contributes $5,000 per shorn head; more than 1,000 people were expected to participate.

Hale said the program originated 10 years ago during a "Monday meeting," a company ritual in which promotions and other news are announced. This year's event raised more than $4 million with about 800 participants.

"A teammate who was just promoted stood up to be recognized," Hale said. "He had a ZZ Top-style beard and hair down to his waist. I told him I'd give $10,000 to Dana-Farber if he shaved it off."

Later that week, an employee who had lost his father to cancer sent Hale a note offering to shave his head in return for a $1,000 donation. Hale accepted and extended the offer to the entire workforce.

Ten years and $50 million later, the event, which Hale calls "Granite's most special day," draws celebrities, media and thousands of people inside and outside the company to participate.

One of those participants was Riley McKnight, a 15-year-old sophomore at Blue Hills Regional Technical School. Riley walked in with a red mane flowing past her waist and walked out with a shoulder-length cut.

"It feels a lot lighter," she said after 8 inches was cut and bagged for donation to Hair we Care, an organization that helps children suffering from hair loss.

Ian Watson, who's in his sixth year at Granite, said he's participated every year since he's been with the company.

"I have big, curly hair," he said. "When I first joined, I was a little bit nervous. I never had a buzz cut in my life. But the more you learn about the cause and the good work being done, you just have to get on board."

At about 10 a.m., chairs were cleared for high-profile heads to be clipped before a scrum of reporters and cameras. In addition to Healey, McCourty and Andruzzi, Boston Children's Hospital CEO Kevin Churchwell, Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch, Patriots wide receiver Matthew Slater and former Patriots offensive tackle Matt Light all had their heads buzzed for the cause.

Koch thanked Hale for being an outstanding "corporate citizen" by supporting Boston Children's Hospital. He recalled that 24 years ago, his then-infant twins Abigail and Tom Jr. were rushed to Boston Children's with respiratory syncytial virus, and received excellent care.

"It was scary there for a moment. Boston Children's did excellent work," Koch said.

After Healey took a millimeter off the top for McCourty, the two switched places, and McCourty was handed the clippers. Under the expert watch of Genevieve Kelley, a stylist for Quincy's Hair Place One, McCourty buzzed a small section on the side of the governor's head.

"We all know McCourty has great hands," Healey said. "I feel comfortable trusting you today."

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Healey, McCourty, Koch chop their hair for Granite's Saving by Shaving