Bay View's Brass Rooster and Hen House giving away hats in fight against skin cancer

Skin cancer affects thousands of people every year.

Sun protection is one of the ways to avoid it.

The owners of the Brass Rooster Hat Company and adjoining Hen House are taking part in a hat giveaway on Thursday, June 11th starting at 2 p.m. in hopes of creating awareness and prevention.

John and Kate McLaughlin were special live guests on the CBS 58 News at 4:30 p.m. to preview the event.

John opened the Brass Rooster Hat Company at 2252 Kinnickinnic Avenue four years ago. His wife Kate opened the Hen House ladies shops next door about six months ago.

The two are joining forces with the National Headwear Association for the annual \"Hat Day in the Sun.\"

Donated hats are selected from several makers and then distributed to various retailers to hand out for free until they're gone.

The giveaway at the Brass Rooster and Hen House starts at 2 p.m.

When all the hats are gone the McLaughlins will offer other hats at a discount.

In order to get adequate protection, Kate says the brim must be at least 2 1/2 inches wide.

She's says a good rule of thumb to follow is the more skin, the wider the brim. For example, if wearing a sun dress that exposes shoulders you would want a very wide brim like the one CBS 58's Michele McCormack wore on the air.

John says people are reluctant to get into wearing hats because they don't think they look good in them. He says it's just a matter of trying on many different styles and finding the one that's right for you.

For more information on the event and the hat shops click here