Fabick Cat Fenton Shop Raises $4,320 for Charity Through Unique Mullet-Shaving Raffle Turned Barbershop Extravaganza

November 15, 2023

Mark Becker, Shop Service Technician in Fabick Cat’s Fenton, MO location, recently embarked on a heartfelt mission to support Leaps of Love. In an effort to make a difference in the lives of families who are dealing with childhood brain tumors, late-effects of childhood cancer, and pediatric predisposition syndrome, Mark daringly offered a chance for a coworker to take to the razor and say goodbye to his mullet, all in the name of charity.

The Fenton Service Shop team has been encouraging Mark to shave his mullet-eques locks for months now, so the raffle was an ingenious way to follow through with the team’s request while contributing to a meaningful cause. Anyone in the Fenton, MO Service Shop had the opportunity to purchase an unlimited amount of $5 raffle tickets for a chance to be the lucky colleague to wield the razor.

The raffle itself raised $1,040 with an extra $500 donation from the Fabick family. But the live event took a turn that no one expected after Traci Riechmann, Mark Becker’s mother-in-law (actively involved in the Leaps of Love charity), joined the team to speak about the incredible impact Leaps of Love is making on families who are struggling or recovering from childhood cancer treatments.

As planned, Mark got his mullet, beard AND eyebrows (it was all or nothing for Mark) shaved by Seth Tackett, Rebuild Manager, the lucky raffle ticket winner!

Knowing Fabick Cat employees are actively involved in the communities where we all live and work with many having charities they support on their own – the spirit of giving really took over the room when an interesting idea came to mind. If we could raise an additional $200 donation in the room, would Seth shave his perfected beard? Of course he would! To no one’s surprise, the quantity was raised quickly, and Mark swapped seats with Seth, grabbed the razor and shaved Seth’s beard!

That’s when Terry Dill, Corporate Back Order Parts Analyst, who was attending the event decided he would be open to shaving his long locks if the room could raise another $200 which happened almost instantaneously. Tom Farr, Customer Service Rep and dedicated Fabick Cat employee for over 46 years, was pulled as the lucky winner to shave Terry’s head.

And before the fun could end, Blake Nelson, Shop Service Technician, offered up his incredible beard for another $200. Again, the room was eager and willing. Molly Gopal, Coordinator for our Equipment Solutions Team, was then volunteered to do the shaving.

A whopping $2,160 was raised through the mullet-shaving raffle turned barber shop extravaganza, but before the event concluded, Kelli Fabick, General Manager of Fabick Rents and fifth generation family member, announced that the Fabick family would match the day’s total making the final donation $4,320!

The event would not have been possible without Kerri Klein, Service Writer, who had the original idea for Mark’s mullet-shaving raffle thinking the team could raise a couple hundred dollars for this special charity. She knew it would be a fun yet meaningful way for the Fenton Service Shop to come together and support a great cause. What Kerri didn’t expect was that her initial idea would ultimately turn into a truly inspiring donation for Leaps of Love – furthering their mission to engage with families by offering hope, strength, and encouragement through their signature retreats, events, and outings.

Fabick Cat is proud to support employees who are not only dedicated to their craft but also compassionate individuals making a difference in the world. The final donations made during this unexpected turn of events spanned the organization with employees from many different divisions joining in the day-of auctioneering fun, all bound together by the spirit of giving.

Through recognition and encouragement, Fabick Cat is honored to have opportunities like this, to help foster a culture of philanthropy and social responsibility across all locations and communities served.