Flint, Michigan – November 2, 2015 – The Flint Police Department is allowing its officers the chance to go unshaven for the month of November for a good cause. “Movember” as it’s called is a month long awareness campaign for men’s health in which men grow beards and mustaches to show their support for the cause. This year Flint police officers can choose to pay $30 to go unshaven for the month with all the proceeds going toward male cancer research.
This is the first year the Flint Police Department has participated in the Movember charitable cause and plans are to continue to participate in years to come. “This is a fun and easy way for us to both raise money and awareness for a good cause,” said Police Chief James W. Tolbert. “People aren’t used to seeing police officers with much facial hair, so maybe it will start conversations when they interact with the community.”
Movember was started by Travis Garone and Luke Slattery of Melbourne, Australia in 2003 when they and 28 friends decided to grow moustaches for the month of November. The following year they registered as a charity and donated proceeds to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia; since then both participation and proceeds have gone global. According to the Movember website, prostate cancer is the second most common form of cancer in men worldwide. The organization also focuses on testicular cancer, men’s mental health and issues of physical inactivity as well.
