During the month of November, Ontario Police personnel will be growing beards to raise money and awareness to fight cancer. Traditional grooming standards regarding facial hair are being relaxed so employees can participate in the month long No-Shave November.
No-Shave November is a web-based, non-profit organization partnered with the American Cancer Society. They are devoted to growing cancer awareness and providing supportive funds which go towards preventing the disease, saving lives, funding research, educating, and aiding those fighting the battle. The goal of No-Shave November is to grow awareness by embracing our hair, which many cancer patients lose, and letting it grow wild and free. Participants are encouraged to donate the money they usually spend on shaving and grooming for a month, to educate about cancer prevention, save lives, and aid those fighting the battle.
The Ontario Police Officers’ Association has registered a team at No-Shave.org called the Ontario POA Razorbacks. Employees who wish to participate will be registering and making a $35 personal donation directly to No-Shave.org. The Ontario team has a $10,000.00 fundraising goal. Donations to help support the Ontario POA Razorbacks team can be made at https://no-shave.org/org/OntarioPOArazorbacks
Officers have also designed custom No-Shave November Dry Wick T-Shirts that will be sold for $15 each and a No Shave Commemorative Challenge Coin for $10 each. The police union has also purchased No-Shave decals that will adorn the black and white police vehicles during the month of November; these will be sold for $5 each. Proceeds from the sale of the T-shirts, Challenge Coins and decals will be donated to the Megan’s Wings Foundation (meganswings.org), a local charity that provides support to families of children with cancer.
Custom No-Shave t-shirts, Challenge Coins and decals are available for sale to the public by contacting the Ontario Police Officers’ Association business office at (909) 923-2217 or by email ontariopoa49@gmail.com.