Going to Be Hairy in Woonsocket

WOONSOCKET, RI — Things are going to be hairy in Woonsocket, according to police Det. Sgt. Matthew Ryan.

It's a union thing, he explained in a press release. It's called "no shave November" and the police are growing beards, mustaches and other facial hair to help raise money for children and women battling cancer.

"With the support of Chief Thomas Oates III," he said, "for the month of November we will be able to grow any facial hair, either a traditional mustache, a goatee or a full beard. It will be a pay to play initiative."

This is a good kind of pay to play, though, he explained.

"Meaning you have to pay to be given the opportunity to not shave for a whole month and be penalized for shaving it off before the end of the month," Ryan said. "The entry fee is $50.00 dollars and a $25.00 dollar penalty will be assessed if you can't make it through the month."

Also, people can donate to the PayPal account.

The International Brotherhood of Police Officers Local 404 is organizing the effort to help several good causes, starting with Cops for Kids with Cancer and the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation.

The Pawtucket police are going into it with them.

"Additionally, within the law enforcement family, Patrolman Jarrod Woeller, of the Millbury Mass. Police Department, and his family are going through a very trying time with the birth of his son Preston," Ryan said. The baby "is battling a very serious genetic condition called Noonan Syndrome, which a potion of the proceeds will go to helping our brother and his family."