Courtesy of Brad Timothy.
Officers Cooper, Timothy, Couch and Knecht.
November is a time for fall, family and food. And if you’re the Mountain Brook Police Department, it’s the time of year when you can grow out your facial hair.
This year, like last, members of the Mountain Brook Police Department will participate in No-Shave November, which is a program started to raise awareness of various cancers.
“Several officers had heard of friends in other departments participating in No-Shave November for a couple years,” said Police Chief Ted Cook. “Last year, Officer (Brad) Timothy brought up the idea for Mountain Brook to participate.”
No-Shave November began as a tradition for men to stop shaving for the month and to let their beards or mustaches grow, but the idea has evolved to include donating the money that would have been spent on razors or visits to the barber toward cancer organizations.
With the raised funds, the No-Shave November organization works to continue its mission of growing cancer awareness together with the American Cancer Society, the Prevent Cancer Foundation, Fight Colorectal Cancer and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
During their first year of participation, a majority of the Mountain Brook officers took part in the event, and this year’s turnout is expected to be similar.
“[Last year] we even had a number of officers who donated and continued to shave,” Timothy said.
By the end of last November, the police department had raised more than $1,900 to donate toward cancer support. This year, it is looking to continue its support by raising awareness and funds for cancer research, prevention and education.
Because officers are required to be clean-shaven throughout the year, save a well-groomed mustache, taking part in the fundraiser had to be approved by Cook and Capt. Greg Hagood.
The idea was approved “almost immediately with no hesitation,” Timothy said. “It is a huge morale booster for participating officers to be permitted to grow their facial hair for a month.”
Cited as the second leading cause of death in the United States by the CDC, cancer has touched nearly everyone in some shape or form. For many, choosing to participate in the campaign comes from a personal place and as a way to recognize those who are going through treatment or to support those who are affected.
“A large number of our officers and non-sworn personnel have had family members and/or close friends who have battled with cancer,” Timothy said. “Just this year, our department has seen family members succumb to this disease. It is something that hits close to home.”
If you would like to help the No-Shave November fundraiser, either as a participant or in support of a team, visit no-shave.org.
