Mountain Brook police to ‘Let it Grow’ for ‘No Shave November’ fundraiser

Mountain Brook’s police officers are “letting it grow” next month, teaming up with the nationwide No Shave November fundraising campaign in the fight against cancer.

Officer Brad Timothy said he recently heard about the campaign and decided he’d like to participate. Because the Mountain Brook Police Department requires its patrol officers to be clean shaven at all times, Timothy knew he’d have to clear it with his superiors.

“During roll call one day last week I asked about participating,” said Timothy.

The department approved the request almost immediately, he said. This is the first year the department is participating, said Capt. Greg Hagood.

“This is the first time anyone has ever asked,” Hagood said.

Since it was approved, several other officers have joined in. Under the Mountain Brook Police Department team on the No Shave November website, six officers, including Timothy, have raised a total of $425 toward their $1,500 fundraising goal.

Timothy has a personal fundraising goal of $500, a challenge he said is close to his heart.

“I’ve lost three grandparents to cancer,” said Timothy. “Just about everyone you ask has been affected by cancer in one way or another. As a city, we’ve been affected as well.”

Timothy said he hasn’t grown his beard out since he served with the Army Reserves in Afghanistan and is looking forward to not having to shave for an entire month.

“I’m sure most men would agree,” said Timothy.

For Sgt. Al Eason, participating in the campaign will also mean quite the changeup in his own routine.

“Since 1980, I’ve had to be clean shaven with exception of a year on board the Great White Ghost during the American Embassy Hostage situation and the three months in 2014 when I was out with a broken foot,” Eason wrote in his personal profile section of the fundraising website. “So roughly 35 years and 18,256 razors later, my Chief is allowing the Mountain Brook Police Department to participate in No-Shave November.”

Since No Shave November began five years ago, participants around the globe have helped raise $2 million donated toward the American Cancer Society, Prevent Cancer Foundation, Fight Colorectal Cancer and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

During No-Shave November, participants are encouraged to donate the money they would normally spend on grooming – anything from a few dollars on a new razor to $100 for a salon visit. 

Money donated to No-Shave November is donated to several organizations and goes toward cancer prevention, education and research.

“It’s a good way to raise money and awareness for a good cause,” Hagood said.

To help the local officers out, visit www.no-shave.org/team/mounatin_brook_police.