Pat Mac Day
EACH YEAR, at St. Barnabas School, we celebrate the life and legacy of Patrick McNamara. Patrick, the young St. Barnabas student with a heart of gold, showed our community that young children can change the world. Diagnosed at age 2 with a brain tumor, Patrick and his family spent 11 years searching and fighting for a cure. Patrick inspired everyone around him through his unyielding humor, positivity, and determination.
In 2011, at the very first St. Barnabas Pat Mac - St. Baldrick’s Day, classmates, parents, parishioners, and friends came together to shave heads and raise money to support the St. Baldrick's Foundation and their fight against pediatric cancer. We continue this tradition with our annual Pat Mac Day, and each year, a new wave of young Buckeyes learn that we each have the power to implement positive change. “We are - Pat Mac’s Pack!”
WHAT WE SUPPORT
Pat Mac Day at St. Barnabas School has the dual mission of supporting the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and Pat Mac’s Pack. These charitable organizations serve to conquer children’s cancer, and the funds we raise on March 7 go to support both of these organizations.
OUR GOAL FOR 2025
We believe in the generosity of our Buckeye community! Our fundraising goal is a $50,000 shared contribution to the St. Baldrick's Foundation and Pat Mac's Pack.
Any homeroom with 75% participation will win a dress down. Highest % of students who participate by homeroom will win “pie their teachers." Highest $ raised by homeroom will win a day at the park with freeze pops. "Participation" is defined as a student supporting at least one element: head shave, hair trim, apparel purchase, dress down, or face tattoo.
HOW YOU CAN BE INVOLVED
FRIDAY, MARCH 7 is the day! There are multiple ways to be involved, and we hope each of you can find an opportunity (or two!) that resonates with you. Shaving heads and cutting hair to benefit the St. Baldrick's Foundation AND dressing down, and sporting a face tattoo to support Pat Mac's Pack! Details on how to support each component of Pat Mac Day are outlined below. CALENDAR REMINDER: Pat Mac Day is an 11:50am student dismissal day.
FOR QUESTIONS, please reach out to our Parent Committee: Colleen Youpel at [email protected], Laura O'Hara at [email protected], and Maureen Cooney at [email protected]
PAT MAC APPAREL: order by Feb 13Pat Mac's Pack apparel is the great way to show your pride and support the mission. It also makes perfect Parade Day gear. Crew neck and hoodie-style sweatshirts or short or long sleeve t-shirts - there is something for everyone. Online orders are due Thursday, February 13 and items will be sent home from school in time for Pat Mac Day. Order online at Windy City Silkscreening.
DRESS DOWN & TEMPORARY TATTOOS: order by March 5Charitable Dress Down - Contribute $3 and on March 7 Pat Mac Day students may wear their newly purchased Pat Mac apparel or any school-appropriate green or Irish-inspired apparel (including jeans, hoodies, and athletic wear).
Temporary Tattoos - Students can purchase a temporary tattoo to get into the spirit. Volunteers will be on-site for our Pat Mac Day to apply to student's cheek (or arm). $20 per student or $50 per family. Purchase dress down and tattoos by Wednesday, March 5
PAT MAC EVENING CELEBRATION (AGE 21+): Advance ordering suggestedEat, drink, and be Irish! On March 7, the students dismiss at 11:50am, and we welcome guests from all over the Chicagoland area for an epic St. Pat's Party. Enjoy a night of drinks, bites, dancing, raffle prizes, and games all supporting Pediatric Brain Cancer Research! Live Music with In Spite of Ourselves on the main stage and St. Barnabas' own Mr. Connor Grant performing at Pat Mac's Pub stage. Advance ticket $75, at the door $85. Learn more and purchase tickets!
ST. BALDRICK'S HEAD SHAVE: Registration Due By March 5On March 7, students (and parents!) can shave their heads and raise funds to support the St. Baldrick’s Foundation!
- REGISTER - with the St. Baldrick's Foundation by joining the Pat Mac Day at the St. Barnabas School Event and customize your personal page.
- FUNDRAISE - spread the word to friends and family by sharing your individual fundraising page. The minimum fundraising amount is $75.
- WAIVER - all participants are required to have a signed waiver. Print, complete and return to school. Attn: Main Office - St. Baldrick's Waiver by Wednesday, March 5 at 8am.
ST. BALDRICK'S HAIR CUT: Registration Due by March 5- REGISTER - with the St. Baldrick's Foundation by joining the Pat Mac Day at the St. Barnabas School Event and customize your personal page.
- FUNDRAISE - spread the word to friends and family by sharing your individual fundraising page. The minimum fundraising amount is $75.
- WAIVER - all participants are required to have a signed waiver. Print, complete and return to school. Attn: Main Office - St. Baldrick's Waiver by Wednesday, March 5 at 8am.
Students cutting their hair are registered and designated as a "shavee" on the St. Baldrick's Fundraising page.
VOLUNTEER - for March 7Pat Mac Day is bustling with excitement and we are searching for Virtus - complaint parents and guardians to take part. This is a truly special day and a great way to feel the impact and connection of our student body. Learn more and sign-up today!
When Patrick was first diagnosed, his parents, Tom and Dee, were shocked to learn how grossly underfunded and under-researched pediatric brain tumors were. They made it their mission to change that, and in 2014, Pat Mac’s Pack was created. Their determination, the spirit of Patrick, and a community of inspired friends and family have raised more than $2.5 million to support brain tumor research at Lurie Children’s Hospital and to provide financial assistance to young cancer patients and families. Learn more about the numerous events Pat Mac's Pack hosts throughout the year.
Tom & Dee McNamara, 2024
2024
When Losing Hair is a Good Thing, 2020
The original group of Pat Mac's Pack shares their Why, 2016
St. Barnabas School, 2012
