QUINCY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Granite Telecommunications, LLC, a provider of communications solutions to businesses, announced that it has given $5 million for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its 4th Annual Saving by Shaving event at the company’s headquarters. Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker joined Granite CEO Rob Hale and approximately 1,000 Granite teammates, their friends and family members in shaving their heads or beards in support of cancer research. Other special guests also turned up in support, including Sam Kennedy, President of the Boston Red Sox, Quincy Mayor Tom Koch and Jim Braude, host of Greater Boston and co-host of Boston Public Radio.
Granite’s event started three years ago when Rob Hale made a lighthearted proposition to a member of his team who was sporting a ZZ Top-style beard, promising to donate $1,000 to Dana-Farber if he shaved his beard. What Hale did not anticipate was the outpouring of support from Granite teammates asking for the same opportunity to trade their hair to help battle cancer. Weeks later, over 400 Granite teammates shaved their heads or beards and donated hair to Locks of Love, raising more than $2.2 million for Dana-Farber in the first year of the event. Now in its fourth year, and 2,700 shaved heads or beards and Locks of Love donations later, Granite, Rob Hale, and his mother, Granite owner and Dana-Farber trustee, Judy Hale, have donated over $14.7 million to Dana-Farber through Saving by Shaving.
To incentivize his team to reach towards greater heights with this year’s event, Hale pledged $5 million if an all-time high of 1,000 participants signed up for the fundraiser. Hale’s call to action was answered by Granite teammates, special guests, family and friends, who pitched in to make the event such a success.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with how the Granite team came together for this year’s 4th annual Saving by Shaving, and how they showed through their actions how much they believe in the important work that Dana-Farber does towards finding a cure for cancer,” Rob Hale said. “We are moved by Governor Baker’s commitment again this year, and by our many guests and members of the community who lent their support.”
Granite has been named repeatedly as one of the most philanthropic companies in Massachusetts. The company and the Hale family have donated more than $17.5 million to Dana-Farber over the past decade. Granite also supports hundreds of other community charities in Massachusetts and throughout the world through additional company charitable activities.
“For the past four years, the Hale family and the employees of Granite Telecommunications have continued to generously support their event, Saving by Shaving, to benefit Dana-Farber and to further our mission,” said Susan S. Paresky, senior vice president for Development and the Jimmy Fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. This year was no different and for Rob and Judy Hale’s $5 million commitment this morning and the participation of thousands of employees and friends, including Governor Charlie Baker - we are forever thankful. Your contribution will allow Dana-Farber to continue to fund important pancreatic cancer research and care.”
The event was supported by Granite customers and other local businesses, including Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, Itzaparty, Ginger Betty’s, Ninety Nine Restaurant and Pub, KIND Snacks, Yasso and Panera Bread. Professionals from more than 20 local barber shops and hair salons also donated their time and expertise to the event.
Further donations to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute can be made through Granite’s Saving by Shaving IV donation page on the Jimmy Fund’s website.
About Granite
Granite provides voice, data and other communications products and services to multi-location businesses and governmental agencies throughout the United States and Canada. Granite furnishes services to more than two-thirds of the Fortune 100 companies in the United States, and 1.5 million voice and data lines under management. Granite employs over 1,750 people at the company’s headquarters in Quincy, MA and offices in Atlanta, GA, Chicago, IL, Dallas, TX, Miami, FL, New York, NY, Orlando, FL, and Providence, RI. For more information, visit www.granitenet.com.
