By Lori Berkey, Contributing Writer
Marlborough – Razors remain idle this month at the Marlborough Police Department (MPD) as the force teams up for “No Shave November,” to raise money for the local charity, Cops for Kids with Cancer. Officers participating are free to let their beards grow through Friday, Nov. 30, in exchange for donating $100 or more toward the cause.
Cops for Kids with Cancer is a Massachusetts-based nonprofit that provides financial support to families of kids with cancer to help them pay for transportation, rent, hotel stays and more. The organization is run entirely by volunteers, with over 94 percent of funds generated going to families in need of assistance. The charity is chaired by Lt. Bill Coulter of the Massachusetts State Police, a cancer survivor himself.
Whisker-laden Sergeant Daniel Campbell of the MPD is pleased that his force has gotten involved supporting the entity.
“The Marlborough Police Department has always tried to support and assist our community through a variety of charitable events,” Campbell said. “One of our retired officers, Sergeant Richard McDevitt, found out about this charity three years ago and our Chief thought it was a great idea to raise money for children battling cancer.”
Campbell enjoys the conversations that the beard growth sparks.
“What I like most about this initiative is our officers have a lot of interactions with the public and when a person sees an officer with a beard, they almost [always] ask about it,” he said. “This leads to more awareness about the charity and creates a lot of public support.”
The specific cause the officers are supporting is something Campbell feels is very important.
“Cops for Kids for Cancer is an incredible charity that helps to offset some of the financial burden for families with children battling cancer,” he said. “The funds that we raise go directly to families to help pay bills and expenses so they can focus their energy on helping their child beat cancer.”
The officers’ involvement with “No Shave November,” serves as a vehicle for the department to convey that they as a force are there to support the community.
“We would like to convey our support for all children and families affected by cancer,” Campbell said. “We want them to know that they aren’t in this battle alone and that the police department will do anything we can to help.”
According to Campbell, the MPD has approximately 30 officers participating in No Shave November. Last year their officers raised over $2,000 for the organization, and this year they aspire to raise over $2,500.
Families supported by Cops for Kids with Cancer typically receive $5000 each, making the need for contributions ever pressing. The organization reports having assisted over 480 families in recent years and has become an official affiliated charity of the Boston Marathon.
Anyone interested in adding to the department’s collection efforts is invited to donate online at https://copsforkidswithcancer.org/donation-marlborough-police/.
The hairy bunch is required to be clean shaven on Saturday, Dec. 1.
