n the night after Christmas a crowd of about 300 gathered at the American Legion Post 60 in Milan to witness their friends make the ultimate sacrifice.

Delma Lamar is cutting Pops' ponytail for the cause. Courtesy photo

“Shave Your Head for Jarred,” was a successful event that raised more than $3,000 for the ailing young man.

It all began as a challenge to his lifelong friend 'Lobo.” Jarred Mirabal was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma in September, and has been undergoing alternating chemotherapy and radiation treatments at University of New Mexico Hospital's Pediatrics Specialty Care Unit. Nine year-old Mirabal challenged his friend, Gerald “Lobo” Sena, to cut his hair like his.

“It started out as a dare,” said Sena, “that's what he wanted for Christmas.”

None believed that Sena would do it, he said, so they started taking pledges amongst the legionnaires.

Aaron Dean generously donated $500, the highest amount. He challenged Sena and Elias “Pop” Vigil to cut off their ponytails and he would shave his head. Sena's sacrifice was his 149 inch-long ponytail. The total of all ponytails cut off came to 372 inches.

“I feel taller,” Lobo remarked.

The hair collected will be donated to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, an organization that makes wigs for children who have lost their own hair due to chemotherapy and radiation treatments. It takes six ponytails, each one eight inches long, to make one wig.

Locks of Love will also receive some of the shaved hair resulting from Jarred's party. The organization makes hairpieces for children under the age of 18. It takes ten inches of hair to make one loving hairpiece.

Mirabal's mother, Valerie, reported that her son's tumor, the size of a paperback novel, was discovered in September around football season. With treatments, the tumor has shrunk, and will be removed during his scheduled surgery on Jan. 5, along with his twelfth rib and a section of the young man's lung.

His mother said that they are expecting full recovery for her son, “in time for football season.”

The Mirabals have experienced a legion of support and love from friends and the community.

“In times of need, you call on your family,” said Mirabal's mother, who is a Legion Rider and Auxiliary member.

“That's what the legion feels like,” she said, “family, and the auxiliary, too.”

American Legion's bartender, Camille Pack, got matching donations from Acoma's Sky City Casino and Laguna's Dancing Eagle Casino by shaving her own head and raising $100, which each casino matched.

The American Legion charged $3 at the door for admission to watch the event. Delma Lamar cut the ponytails for Locks of Love, and Nancy King shaved the shorter hair.

There was great enthusiasm for the event, exemplified by all participants, including Native American donator, Olsen Nez, who had his ponytail blessed by a Medicine Man before he could have in lopped off.

Jarred was present to hand out “do rags” to participants so they could keep their new bald heads warm.

Afterwards, everyone present was treated to a dance. Anthony “Cubano” Pacheco of Ultimate Sounds donated his services as disc jockey for the party.

It is safe to say that a good time was had by all.

A list of most of

the contributors:

Gerald “Lobo” Sena

Ruben “Chango” Avila

Aaron “Rugdoctor” Dean

Elias “Pops” Vigil

Tommy “Speedy” Gonzales

Bob Litton

Ryan Salisbury

Twig Hollar

Paul Hollar

Devon Wilson

Brad Wilson

Wyatte Mirabal

Derikk Mirabal

Cory “Sarg” Allan

Dick Allan

Charlie “Joker” Allan

Keith Bradshaw

Camille “Bug” Pack

Olsen Nez

Joel

Wayne “Chevy” Lucero

Tim “the trucker” Ragsdale

Little beanie guy