'Craziest Thing I've Ever Done': Somers Woman Makes a Difference

Every year Stacey McGaughey picks a cause and raises money for it. She has raised money for organizations such as the Cystic Fibrosis, Relay for Life and March of Dimes.

But this year it was different. 

She donated $50 to her friend Billy Barone, who since 1982 has been raising money for March of Dimes. But she felt it wasn't enough. 

"Every year I see him asking for donations and I know what it means to him," McGaughey told Patch. "So, I had this crazy idea."

She dared him to double the money he raises, and if he does, she would shave her head. 

Well, he did. 

Within ten minutes of McGaughey posting a link on Facebook to her friend's donations page and letting people know she would shave her head for the cause, she got a response. A friend of hers, Ben Brafman, wrote a check for the full amount needed – $6,200.

"Okay, time to shave my head," McGaughey said. "And tell my husband."

So far, Barone has raised $10,625 for March of Dimes. 

McGaughey, a teacher at Little People's Learning Center in Somers, had her head shaved at The Style Inn Salon and Boutique in Jefferson Valley. She was surrounded by about 30 close family and friends.

"I didn't watch, so when they turned me around to the mirror, I closed my eyes," the woman said. "When I opened them I just laughed so hard for about 10 minutes with tears flowing down my face...with joy."

As an assistant teacher at the preschool school, McGaughey said she knows two families whose lives have been directly affected by March of Dimes. While her head was being shaved, she had those two families in mind. 

"I don't like asking for money without giving something in return," McGaughey said. "Obviously, this is the craziest thing I've ever done."

Since shaving her head, people have been telling the woman she looks just as beautiful as she did before. 

"I'm lucky to have great friends and family in my life," said McGaughey, who has lives in Lake Lincolndale since 1996. "My son Michael Dean loves it and so does my husband Todd. I used this moment as a teaching moment for our son."

If you'd like to make a donation to Billy Barone, visit his website. 

"I am heart happy in my decision to do this selfless act for a cause that my great friend is so passionate about," McGaughey said. "I would like to thank Charlene at the The Style Inn for hosting this event."

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