Variety Children’s Charity is partnering with the Lansdale Police Department to host a No Shave November contest called “Let It Grow.”
The event initially got started in 2013 as a way to raise money and awareness of men’s cancer. The event changed causes in 2014 since the police chief at the time was a big supporter of Variety.
The general rule is that police officers need to be clean-shaven at the start of the month, but the police department asks the mayor to relax the rule for those who donate $35 to the Variety Children’s Charity to participate in the contest. Women officers who want to participate are allowed to put a color streak in their hair. The contest has been extended to any official in the Lansdale Borough.
At the end of the month, there is an event where people get to vote on their favorite facial hair. The event is scheduled for Nov. 29 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Boardroom Spirits in Lansdale. There is no entry fee for the event, but those who attend can buy tickets to participate in raffles or to vote for their favorite officer’s facial hair. The officer with the most votes wins a beard trophy. There is also a silent auction, including some Philadelphia sports memorabilia. All of the money raised at the event goes to Variety Children’s Charity.
This year, 19 of the department’s 24 officers are participating in the contest. According to Lansdale Police Chief Michael Trail, if the officers raise $1600 between the contest entries and the end-of-the-month event, the officers will be allowed to keep their facial hair through the month of December. Otherwise, they will need to shave it off on Dec. 1.
“At the end of the event, we definitely have some pretty strange-looking creations,” said Trail.
“Last year, somebody had little, tiny Christmas ornaments in his beard,” said Mary Fuller, Variety’s special events, marketing and PR director. “It’s all fun for charity.”
According to Trail, the event is well-received by the police officers and the community alike. Other agencies in Montgomery County are holding their own events. Despite the strange looks the officers may receive, the community has responded well to the fundraiser as well.
“It’s just another way to reach out to the community and support various local charities and really try to connect with our community,” said Trail.
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