Officers Can Grow Beards To Support Charities

CANTON, GA -- You may soon notice a bit of facial hair on some of Cherokee County's deputy marshals and animal control officers.

That's because the agency is launching its Letting it Grow campaign, which allows these officers to grow beards to support a charity of their choice.

Cherokee County Chief Marshal Ron Hunton authorized the initiative, which allows the marshals and officers to donate $50 or volunteer eight hours of their time at the charity of their choice. In return, these officers can grow facial hair for 90 days.

About 18 members of the marshal's office have signed on to participate, said spokesperson Sgt. Matthew McMullen.

The idea came from a deputy marshal who wanted to do something to support the community during the holiday season.

“It’s not something you typically see, at least not in the South -- police officers in uniform with a beard," Hunton said. "But when the deputy marshal presented the idea to me I thought, why not? It’s for a great cause."

The campaign kicks off Nov. 1, and ends Jan. 31, 2017, the agency said.

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Graphic via Cherokee County Marshal's Office