PLEASE DOWNLOAD, PRINT AND DISTRIBUTE IMMEDIATELY:

Hair We Are Poster.pdf

TOWN OF EVANS --- Stylists at a new local hair salon are pitching in to help save the life of a local life saver.

Six stylists at the “Hair We Are” Family Salon will donate all of their proceeds on Saturday-June 21, 2008 to benefit Chief Dennis Allen of the Evans Center Volunteer Fire Company. The Cut-a-Thon or “Cut for the Care” will go from 8am-4pm and will feature $10 haircuts for the entire family.

Chief Allen is stricken with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and is now on a waiting list for a double lung transplant at the Cleveland Clinic. The procedure requires the couple to relocate to the Cleveland area for up to three months afterwards.

The new salon is located at 8291 Erie Road (Rte. 5) directly across the street from Evans Center Fire Station#1. It’s no coincidence that “Hair We Are” Operations Manager Dan Macakanja chose this location, and this event, to introduce his new salon to the community. Dan is an active firefighter with the Collins Volunteer Fire Company.

“Like Denny Allen and every firefighter, everything we do is about giving back to the community. We’re just proud to be able to help this local hero,” said Dan Macakanja. “Our motto is ‘Hair We Are – For Your Family.’ It’s a salon for families and a family run business. We’re happy to be here for Dennis and his family and to take care of one of our own. The fire service is one big family.”

A testimonial celebration honoring Denny Allen is planned for September 6, 2008 from 2-8pm at the Evans Center Volunteer Fire Company located at 8298 Erie Road in the Town of Evans. The event will feature music, food and refreshments, raffles and plenty of opportunities to get involved in supporting this great effort. One of the feature activities of the day will be an auction of firefighter artwork and memorabilia.

A special web site has been set up at www.dennisallenproject.com to allow folks to learn more about Denny Allen and to follow scheduled benefit activities. The site offers a spot for everyone to leave a personal message for Dennis and also to make secure online donations using Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express or PayPal. You can even pre-pay for your haircut online.

Saturday’s “hair-raising” event will feature theme basket and 50/50 raffles. “Hair We Are” also operates salons in Gowanda and Springville and plans to open soon in North Collins.

Dennis Allen has been an active member of the Evans Center Volunteer Fire Company for almost 40 years, having served as a fire department officer for nearly his entire firefighting and EMS career.

Dennis responded twice to Ground Zero following the attacks of September 11, 2001 and helped shape emergency medical services in the Town of Evans. He served as the local representative to the Erie County Fire Advisory Board, as Code Enforcement Officer for Towns of Evans and Hanover; and as an EMT-I for Rural Metro Medical Services.

Along with his wife Marlene and sons Scott and Marcus, this fire service leader has devoted his entire life to serving his community.

One of the benefit committee’s goals is to create a “tree of life” that will hold one dollar for every one of the 10,000 emergencies Dennis has responded to in his lifetime of service that has spanned four decades.

“Life Saver Cards” are available at several point-of-sale locations throughout the community and are available for download from the web site. The cards include a photo of Dennis and room to write well wishes or words of encouragement. The life saver cards will be displayed in the firehouse at the benefit in September and given to him as a keepsake. One dollar is all they’re asking for.

The benefit committee has also scheduled several other fundraising efforts leading up to the main event. Visit www.dennisallenproject.com for a complete listing.

Contact Lynn Krajacic at 716.341.9853 or lmk.tax@utec.net for information about donating door prize, theme basket/Chinese auction items; or other supplies that could be used to support this benefit.

Contact Dan Macakanja at 716.341.2870 or gowandahairweare@gmail.com for information about Hair We Are.

Contact Tiger Schmittendorf at tiger5@firehousezone.com or 716.432.3915 for any other information.

FFN Members: Leave a comment for Denny Allen on his profile page.