Westport Police Officers' 'No Shave' Event Raises Thousands for Charity

WESTPORT, CT — Members of the Westport Police Department raised $3,175 for charity this past fall as part of the national No Shave November initiative, the second year the department participated in the effort.

For the months of November and December, members of the Westport Police Department grew beards to donate to these two causes. In order to participate, police officers made a donation of $75 each which will be broken up between No Shave November and the local charity Homes with Hope.

No Shave November is a web-based, non-profit organization devoted to growing cancer awareness and raising funds to support cancer prevention, colorectal cancer research, and education. Homes with Hope is an organization dedicated to helping the homeless locally.

On Dec. 29, the participating officers attended a “Shave Off” at H Salon in Fairfield. "We would like to thank H Salon for donating their time and facility for the second year in a row," said Westport PBA President Brendan Fearon in a statement. "We also want to extend our thanks to Geronimo Tequila Bar and Grill for sponsoring our event."

The Westport force set a goal to raise $2,500 and surpassed it by more than $600.

"This is a great opportunity to build off of the enthusiasm for No Shave November, and also help one of our local efforts," added Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas.

Photo credit: Contributed