QUINCY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Granite Telecommunications, LLC, a provider of communications solutions to businesses, announced another $6.5 million contribution to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at Granite’s 5th Annual Saving by Shaving event at the company’s headquarters. Joined by Tom Brady and Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, CEO Rob Hale and 1,200 Granite employees, family members and friends shaved their heads or beards to support Dana-Faber’s efforts to cure cancer. Also joining in support were Sam Kennedy, President of the Boston Red Sox, Quincy Mayor Tom Koch, Jim Braude, host of Greater Boston and co-host of Boston Public Radio and Greg Hill, host of The Hill-Man Morning Show.
Granite’s annual Saving by Shaving fundraiser began four years ago when Rob Hale jokingly dared a member of his team to shave his ZZ Top-style beard in exchange for a $1,000 donation to Dana-Farber. Over the next two weeks, hundreds more from Granite reached out to Hale asking for the same opportunity to raise funds and shave their heads or beards in solidarity with those undergoing chemotherapy. From there, 428 employees turned out at Granite’s 1st Saving by Shaving event and raised over $2.2 million to benefit Dana-Farber.
Now in its fifth year, Saving by Shaving raises over twice as much money and draws over twice as many supporters, including NFL all-time great Tom Brady, who shed his locks of shaggy hair. Thanks to Tom Brady and 4,200 participants from Granite since 2014, Saving by Shaving has raised $21.2 million in aggregate to benefit cancer research. Other notable supporters at this year’s event included MA Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Matthew Beaton, former MBTA Administrator Brian Shortsleeve, Patrick Lyons of The Lyons Group and State Representatives Tim Whelan (Barnstable), Paul Tucker (Essex), Michael Day (Middlesex), Joe McGonagle (Middlesex) and David Muradian (Worcester).
“The way we all came together today to respond to the cancer epidemic speaks volumes to the character of our community,” Rob Hale said. “From Tom Brady and Gov. Baker to local businesses, city and state officials, the Granite team, friends, family and customers, so many people united behind Dana-Farber’s mission to defeat cancer. We can and will do just that – cure cancer. I’m very grateful for everyone’s support and so proud to call this community home.”
Granite has been named repeatedly as one of the most philanthropic companies in Massachusetts. In January, Rob and his wife, Karen Hale, announced a $100 million donation to Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Boston’s Children Hospital. Granite also supports hundreds of other community charities in Massachusetts and other locations where the company has offices through organized company-wide weekly donations and volunteer time off.
“The Hale family and the Granite Telecommunications employees are committed to funding new cancer therapies and eradicating this disease. For the past five years, they have come together for Saving by Shaving, an event that has continued to grow each year. We are grateful to the thousands of Granite Telecommunications employees, elected officials, friends of the Hale family, and Tom Brady for their support. This year’s $6.5 million gift to Dana-Farber is extremely generous and will help us make great strides in pancreatic research and care. We are deeply thankful to the Hale family and Granite Telecommunications,” said Susan S. Paresky, senior vice president for Development and the Jimmy Fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Saving by Shaving 5 was supported by Granite customers and other local businesses, including Ninety Nine Restaurant and Pub, Dunkin’ Donuts, Lambert’s, Lessing’s, KIND Snacks and ItzAParty. Professionals from numerous 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 5 donation page.
About Granite
Granite provides voice, data and other related
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 1,800 people at the company’s
headquarters in Quincy, MA, and offices in Atlanta, GA, Chicago, IL,
Dallas, TX, New York, NY, Orlando, FL, Philadelphia, PA, Providence, RI
and West Palm Beach, FL. For more information, visit www.granitenet.com.
