LANGHORNE, PA – Neshaminy Mini-THON’s annual fundraiser “No Shave November” finished at the end of the month, raising over $2,000. Teachers all around the building helped raise money to conquer childhood cancer by joining their classrooms together and planning some fun incentives for their students. 

Gabby Capaldi, one of the Mini-THON student directors, is tasked to help organize fundraisers like “No Shave November”, “Dining for Dollar” events, and the overall Mini-THON event that will take place in Feb. 2025. Mini-THON has a participant club and a committee for students at Neshaminy High School (NHS) to get involved to help fundraise and join the fight. 

Capaldi and the teacher directors assign committee members a teacher to take their pictures, keep them updated with their donor drive, and help them spread the word to friends and family to donate. This year, more teachers participated and got involved in this school-wide event.

“I think we have almost 40 male teachers, so that’s really amazing,” Capaldi said. 

Teachers this year have been bringing their A-game with fundraising by creating fun incentives for their students to donate. 

“It gives the students an extra push to raise money that also creates an immediate reward,” Capaldi said. “I think it’s fun for students when they see their teachers getting involved in something they also care about. It creates a common ground for students and teachers.”

Len Davis, a math teacher here at NHS, has been participating in “No Shave November” since 2020. 

“I always volunteer to work Mini-THON, helping with the food, clean-up and refereeing games,” Davis remarked. “I’ve done “No Shave November” since it started 5-6 years ago and I have been the top teacher fundraiser.”

Davis has been a huge help in raising money, awareness and getting students motivated to participate in spirit weeks. Davis goes all out bringing his students together to help make change. 

“I feel my showing of passion for many events here builds community,” Davis said. “I dress head to toe pink for pink out and spray [my] hair pink at the games. Spirit weeks…  I go all out. I am here to educate and entertain.” 

It is not just male teachers raising money in November. Capaldi has been asked by many female teachers if they could help as well. 

“A lot of female teachers also wanted to participate, so we set up a fundraiser for them as well for the first time ever,” Capaldi exclaimed. 

At the end of the month, the total number of money raised during No Shave November was $2,786.46. 

With having at least 40 teachers involved this year, they helped create a sense of togetherness within the high school. 

“Getting so many teachers involved shows how much this work matters, and how many people are affected daily by cancer,” Capaldi said.