Bethel Supports ‘A Day for Cody’
By Mary Anderson

A new hairstyle is all the rage in Bethel these days. Called the "Cody Crew," many people in town are shaving their heads in support of Cody Snelling, who lost his hair as a result of treatment for cancer.

Cody, who will enter sixth grade in the fall, was diagnosed with a cancerous bone tumor in his left leg, and underwent limb salvage surgery on June 27. He has 11 more weeks of chemotherapy ahead.

A "Day for Cody," to raise money and show support to the Snelling family, was held at the Bethel bandstand Saturday, June 28. Despite threatening clouds there was a steady stream of people stopping by throughout the day.

Licensed cosmetologist Diane Placy kept busy shaving heads of those wishing to join the "Cody Club." The demand for cuts was so great that Placy had to periodically change her electric clippers to keep them from overheating! Young and "more mature" alike sat before a crowd of onlookers as Placy ran the clippers over their heads. The young boys came first, and three of the Allen boys joined the club. Harrison and Bradford Allen grinned and clowned as their locks fell to the ground. Younger brother Wesley, who is going into third grade, grimaced as if in pain.

It was also a family affair for the Hodgdons, as Placy’s son, John Hodgdon, and his son, Isaac Hodgdon, took turns in the chair. After stating that his wife had never seen him without a mustache, the elder Hodgdon took the plunge and let his mustache join the growing pile of hair on the ground. He drew the line at eyebrows, though some of his followers allowed even the brows to come off. Isaac said it was his second time shaving his head in support of his friend.

Stephanie Taylor drew the largest crowd of onlookers as she sat in the chair and watched her shoulder length hair fall. Taylor, a two-year cancer survivor who never lost her own hair during her treatment, drew a huge round of applause as she stood up from the chair and rubbed her shaved head. Later in the day, she had the face painters paint a decorative "Bethel Cares" on the back of her scalp.

Five-year-old Ethan Flint was one of the youngest to join the club. On the other end of the spectrum was Everett Lyon. Lyon, who had less to lose, as he was already balding, admitted only to being "more than eight years old."

Other activities included fire truck rides, entertainment by Spencer Lewis and the Step ’N Time Line Dancers of Central Vermont, a community potluck with plenty of food, a silent auction and 50/50 raffle and a three-mile fundraising walk. Stan and Janice Capron, who are neighbors of the Snellings, raised more than $1,500 doing their walk. All in all more than $7000 was raised for the Snelling family at this event.

Charri Robinson, one of the event’s organizers, said she "really appreciated all that everyone has done. The school had already raised $5000 and it is amazing that such a small community has done so much, especially in these hard times."

According to Cody’s mother Jolene Snelling, Cody’s surgery went fine and he is "doing well." He is in physical therapy and they hope he will return home from Children’s Hospital in Boston sometime this week.

A bank account has been set up at Mascoma Savings Bank in Bethel for those wishing to make donations to the Snelling family. Checks or money orders made payable to "Bethel Cares for Cody" can be mailed to Maureen Burnham, PO Box 296, Bethel, Vt. 05032.

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