The COVID-19 pandemic has postponed or cancelled many events this summer, but Hillcrest Academy decided to continue their annual fundraiser online. The 2020 Hillcrest Giving Day was set to invite alumni and friends of the school on June 24 for a fundraiser event filled with performances, food, and more, but the current health situation did not allow large groups to gather. Instead, the fundraiser was the primary focus of this year’s event, and the community responded well. Principal Dwight Gingerich tells KCII News about a bet he made if certain goals were made, “At about $85,000 the question was asked would I consider coloring my hair maroon if we hit a certain goal? I said, ‘I’ll do it at $100,000.’ And I didn’t know we would get there, but we did. Then it became would you be willing to shave your head or get a buzz? So I said, ‘If we get to $125,000 I’ll do that.’ So, Jeremy Ours joined me and we’re both doing that.” Gingerich lost a brother to cancer back in 1996, so not only is the buzzcut for this event, but it is also in memory of his brother.  In total, this event raised $126,289 from 144 donors. These funds will help with the private school’s budget and be used for expenses accrued during the school year.