MADISON COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) — This winter, patrolman Brian Porter is breaking the rules, and some of his partners at the Anderson Police Department are joining him.
For $20 month, officers can grow a beard during November or December. Growing facial hair is usually against department policy.
“I don’t enjoy shaving anyway,” Porter said.
The money raised will help APD provide Christmas presents for families in need.
“That’s one of the reasons, I think, most of us took this job in the first place,” Porter said, “to be able to help people as best we can. This just gives us another opportunity to do that.”
2015 is the third year for APD’s No Shave November push.
But this year, for the first time, the Madison County Sheriff’s Department is joining in the fun with its own fundraiser.
“There’s a lot of good beards, and some not so good,” Officer Darren Dyer of the sheriff’s department said.
“If we make a traffic stop, people will kind of look up, like, ‘When did they start growing beards?’” Dyer said.
The money the sheriff’s department raises will go to Safe Families Madison County, a group dedicated to helping kids whose families are facing a crisis.
Safe Families Madison County Director Emma Johnson said the department’s donations aren’t taken lightly.
“It’s something that is very appreciated,” she said. “This is something that is run by volunteers and people who believe in what we do.”
So far this year, both departments have raised more than $1,000 each.
Safe Families Madison County will also launch an online fundraiser on Dec. 1. Those interested in donating can visit here.
