November gets hairy for law enforcement

November is going to be a hairy month for many Lake County police officers and rangers as they forgo shaving for the month.

Multiple law enforcement agencies across the county are participating in an event known as NoShave November. The event originally used by police officers to raise funds and awareness for cancer is now used to raise money for a variety of charities.

Officers are encouraged to donate the money they would typically spend during on the month on shaving supplies and pit it toward the their department’s chosen charities.

Eastlake Police Department

has participated in the event for the past six to seven years raising money for a different cause each year. This year the department has 12 officers participating.

The officers who participate are still kicking around ideas and have not yet decided on a cause. Chief Larry Reik allows his contributing officers to go unshaven until the first of the year.

While Kirtland Police Department has 15 officers participating by not shaving, its entire department both sworn and civilian employees have contributed to the kitty to go to a cause yet to be determined.

Lakeland Community College Police Department has five officers participating and their donations are going towards the colleges contributions to United Way of Lake County.

The Lake Metroparks have 11 rangers who have decided to skip the morning shave ritual in order to benefit The Sub-Zero Mission in Painesville

“The Lake Metroparks Ranger Department appreciates how fortunate we are and recognize the importance of giving back to the community in which we

serve,” Chief Jim Sivak said. “The Sub Zero Mission does a lot to assist those in need and we are happy to support their cause.”

Mentor-on-the Lake Police are participating for their fifth year. The department has decided to give the officers an option of growing facial hair through the end of November for a $25 donation to Clothe-A-Child program. If they opt to double that donation they can continue to grow facial hair until the end of March.

This year they have 13 officers participating in the event with 11 of them doubling their donations to go through to March.

For the Willoughby Police Department, this will be the sixth year of raising funds for charities in the city. The department, over the past five years, has raised over $6,000 during the holiday season through the officers’ $50 contribution each year during the No-Shave event.

They have decided again this year to donate to local Willoughby charities that assist those in need within that community. Some of the organization they have contributed to in the past include: Deepwood Industries, Willoughby United Methodist Church Food

All the participating departments also accept outside donations to help their causes.

Bank and McKinley Outreach Center.

Willowick Police Department used the funds raised each year to support their Christmas with Blue program in which they take approximately 12 children from Royalview Elementary School on a shopping trip at Walmart so they can buy presents for their families.

Chief Brian Turner allows his officers to go unshaven into December so they can have their beards for pictures with the children during the Christmas with Blue event. Like most of the other departments, Willowick officers contribute $50 for the benefit of not having to shave.

All the participating departments also accept outside donations to help their causes. Those interested in contributing to any of departments’ fundraising efforts can contact the individual departments for information on how to contribute.

SUBMITTED Willoughby police officers raise money for local charities by paying to not shave during No-Shave November.