Bearded Deputies Set Loudoun Sheriff's Office Fundraising Record

LEESBURG, VA — The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) raised $23,690 in November, the law enforcement agency's largest fundraising event ever, as part of its participation in the No-Shave November campaign. The LCSO also was the campaign's top fundraising law enforcement agency in the country for the second year in a row.

No-Shave November is a national campaign designed to raise funds for cancer research and treatment. Over the past three years, the LCSO has raised more than $55,000 for cancer prevention and research throught its participation in the campaign, started by No-Shave.org in 2009. During the month of November, Loudoun deputies have been letting their beards grow as part of the fundraising effort.

Members of the LCSO donated $25 to participate in the campaign. The sheriff's office also raised money from Loudoun residents and businesses, including Ashburn-based a wink & a smile. The eye and dental care practice donated $100 for every deputy who stopped in to take a picture with staff. The practice donated a total of $4,000 to the LCSO team in November, up from its donation of $3,000 in November 2018.

"We love supporting those who serve our community and the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office is the premiere example of service," Meg Smariga, director of operations for a wink & a smile, told Patch.

The nonprofit No-Shave.org has raised more $4.5 million to fight cancer in the 10 years of the campaign. This year's event will fund organizations, including Fight Colorectal Cancer, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Prevent Cancer Foundation.