York student Austin Eaton willing to put his hair where the money is

Here's an innovative way to raise funds for a good cause. Austin Eaton, a 15-year-old Aptos resident and student at York School, can be recognized from afar by his head of curly hair. Well, his mane could come down -- or not -- depending on how much money he raises one way or another.

Money raised will go to rebuild a medical clinic in Angola.

Eaton and his family are organizing the “Save It or Shave It” concert and picnic for Friday, June 21 from 6 until 8pm on the lawn of the Aptos Community United Methodist Church. There will be live music and food for purchase -- which can be pre-ordered here.

Admission is free and guests will be asked to donate to the Angola clinic rebuilding cause, and say whether they want to see Austin's locks come down or stay.  At around 7:30pm, the will of the donors will be revealed and stylist Julie Rasmussen of Seaweed Hair Design will be on standby, razor in hand, ready to oblige on the will of the donors. 

Austin was asked by his church missions team to head the fundraising effort to Build A Bridge of Love to Angola, but he seized the opportunity to expand his efforts beyond his congregation. The Bom Jesus Medical Clinic, which will be helped by the "Save it or Shave it" campaign, serves a rural community of 10,000 people and plays a key role in supporting the Angolan people to eliminate Malaria in their country.

Donations can be mailed to the United Methodist Church, 221 Thunderbird Drive, Aptos, CA 95003 or brought to the event Friday. Checks should be payable to ACUMC with the words “Save It-Angola” or “Shave It-Angola” written on the memo line.

For more information call 688-2210 or find the concert and picnic here.

I'm curious to see which was the hair goes. Stay tuned.