BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN) — Things are getting hairy at the Boardman Police Department as officers grow out their beards for an annual fundraiser.
Each year, members of the Boardman Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 43 grow out their beards to raise money that will be used to benefit local children. This year marks the 6th anniversary of No-Shave November for the department, and the funds will go toward Shop With a Cop events.
“For nine, 10 months out of the year, we don’t get to have beards,” said Joe Lamping, president of FOP Lodge 43. “So everybody kind of takes that moment to jump on the chance, and it’s like, ‘We’re supporting a charity and it gets us out of shaving for a couple months.’ It’s one of our favorite times of the year.”
This is the first year the program has expanded to include nine elementary school kids, in addition to the middle-school age group it usually works with. Lamping says school counselors select the kids that would benefit the most from the program.
“It’s Christmas joy, right?” Lamping said. “You know, they get that Christmas spirit where it’s, ‘Hey, this is my time and I don’t have to worry about anything else, I get to go in, I get to get some toys, I get to get some new clothes, I get to get that new art set I wanted.'”
“I think it’s a great event each year,” said FOP Lodge 43 secretary Tom Zorzi. “We try to raise money for local charities, and this year, we chose the kids — that’s what our main focus is. We like raising the money, you know, to help out the kids in need.”
Lamping said they’re setting the bar high this year with a $3,500 fundraising goal — up $1,000 from previous years.
“We try to give each child that’s involved $300 to spend at whatever store they’re at,” he said. “That can go toward anything: clothing, school supplies that they want, art supplies, toys, Christmas gifts, things of that nature.”
Cash, check, and Venmo donations are accepted, with more details available on the FOP’s Facebook page. When donating, police ask that you name the officer you are supporting, but it is not necessary.
“Our main focus is community outreach,” Lamping said. “We don’t care who wins. Our focus as the Lodge, it’s not about ourselves — it’s about these kids.”
The top five officers who raise the most money will be allowed to keep their beards through December.
If any money is left over, it will be added to a scholarship program for local kids going into public service. Last year, the program gave out six $750 scholarships.
Lamping says they hope to continue growing the program to help more local kids in the years to come.
