It's No Shave November for Downbeach police officers.
As the frost covers the pumpkins and people seek ways to warm up, it begins to get a little hairy in the Downbeach area.
Downbeach police officers are no exception and are starting to show their 5 o'clock shadows at least for the male members of the Blue.
Members of the Margate and Longport police departments are participating in a fundraiser for a worthy cause by contributing $50 for the privilege of growing their beards during the month of November. Even female officers participate by donating funds to support their bearded brothers.
This year's No Shave November will raise money to benefit AtlantiCare's Treasure the Moment Fund, which assists local cancer patients with expenses such as mortgage, rent, utilities, food, wigs, prosthetics, and any other unexpected expense brought on by their cancer diagnosis.
Both Longport Police Chief Frank Culmone and Margate Police Chief Matt Hankinson have relaxed their departments' regulations to allow officers to grow their beards in support of the fundraising effort.
According to Margate PBA President Amy Maclean, it is the third year Margate officers are participating in the fundraiser and the public can help by making a donation to the cause.
Local 65 has been the top fundraiser for the fund in the past few years and we would like to continue that trend, she said. Officers are encouraged to ask local businesses to donate as well.
Margate police officers raised $3,438 in 2019, and Margate PBA Local 65 matched the amount for a total of $6,876. In 2020, a total of $4,750 was raised.
Nationally, the annual tradition has raised more than $10 million for the fight against cancer.
No Shave November originally focused on men's health, especially prostate cancer. According to a post on the Longport Police Department's Facebook page, the initial intent was to use the money raised for grooming, raising cancer awareness, cancer research and other cancer related causes.
Officers in Longport will also be ditching their razors during November to raise funds, which will be matched by the Longport PBA Local 363.
Funds will be donated to AtlantiCare's Heroes of Hair and St. Jude Cancer Research.
Ventnor Police are also letting their whiskers grow.
According to Officer Michael Newell, president of Ventnor PBA Local #97, the organization will be matching donations raised by officers. The proceeds of the fundraiser will go to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.
