Police to sport beards for charity during No-Shave November; residents can grow beards to support fire department

By Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub
ScottBolthouse@HuronHub.com
Posted Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021

If you notice a Huron Township police officer sporting a beard within the next two months, it’s not because they are breaking department policy.

The police department decided to participate in “No-Shave November” to support their annual Shop with a Hero Program.

Each officer will donate money to the event to have the opportunity to grow a beard this holiday season.

Officers will be allowed to begin wearing beards on Oct. 22.

Department policy does not allow officers, reserve officers, or dispatch staff to wear beards while in uniform.

Last year, No-Shave November raised more than $1800 toward the Shop with a Hero Program.

Residents will be able to join the fun by judging the beards this year.

On the evening of the Shop with a Hero event, the department will have a best beard contest.

The best beard contest will be judged by residents on the Huron Township Department of Public Safety Facebook page.

The winning officer will be awarded with a night off to be worked, instead, by Everette Robbins, director of public safety.

Due to safety standards relating to the use of equipment, Huron firefighters cannot participate by growing facial hair.

Instead, residents can “adopt a firefighter” for the cause.

For a donation of $50 toward the Shop with a Hero event, a resident can grow a beard and support the fire department.

At the shopping event, a separate beard contest will be held for those that adopted a firefighter.

The contest will be judged by members of the fire department.

The winner of the contest will receive their choice of a ride to work, as local as possible, or their child to be taken to school in a fire truck.

Those interested in adopting a firefighter can donate in November the Go Fund Me page that supports the Shop with a Hero Program.

Be sure to note on the Go Fund Me page that your donation is towards the “adopt a firefighter” program.

“I think this is a fun way for our departments and the residents to come together for a great cause. Our Shop with a Hero Program is special because it is funded by the big hearts in our community. What better reason to come together than making the Christmas season special for some deserving children? No kid should ever wake up without a Christmas,” Robbins said.

“Our public safety staff approach me on a regular basis and ask how they can get more involved with and help our community. This is a great way to bring everyone together. They have a tough job some days and it is fun to see them come together and have a little fun for a good cause.”