Members of the Lansdale Borough Police Department will get to keep their beards for another six weeks, after they surpassed their goal of raising $3,000 for charity via their No Shave November initiative.
For the last six years, the Lansdale Borough Police Department has eased their restrictions on facial hair during the month of November, allowing officers to compete to see who could grow the best beard—all in the name of charity. Each participating officer pays a $35 fee to enter, and the initiative wraps up one month later at an event featuring raffles, a contest for best beard and more.
This year’s month-long effort culminated on Tuesday evening at the newly-opened Local Tap in Lansdale. A total of 14 Lansdale Police officers competed in the competition, with more than 70 attendees making donations in order to vote for their favorite.
For the third consecutive year, Lansdale Borough Police Chief Michael Trail was named the winner of the competition, with Det. Joel Greco coming in second place and Officer Scott Keeler coming in third place.
In total, by way of participation fees, voting, donations and raffles, more than $3,000 was raised, with all proceeds being donated to Variety Club and Mission Kids.
“Once again, our local men and women in blue showed their support to children in need in our community,” said Mary Fuller, community relations and outreach director for Variety. “They came out in full force to help Variety - the Children's Charity of the Delaware Valley, who serve children with disabilities, and Mission Kids, who advocate for child abuse victims.”
Lansdale Borough Police were joined at the event by members of the neighboring Towamencin Township Police Department, including Chief Tim Dickinson, as well as local officials including state Rep. Steve Malagari.
Prior to the start of No Shave November, Trail informed his staff that if they exceeded $3,000 in donations, they could keep their facial hair for an additional six weeks. With that amount surpassed on Tuesday night, Lansdale’s Finest will be able to continue to don their beards until Jan. 15, 2020.
“It was just an all-out fun night, sprinkled with some friendly competition,” said Fuller. “We are truly appreciative of their efforts, as they greatly help these two organizations continue to do the work that they do.”
See also:
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