Men Grow Their Whiskers for ‘Movember’ Charity

CHARLOTTE, NC —  The mustache. The macho mark of manliness, and now the icon of men’s health. Groups across the U.S. use the “Movember” movement, where they let their facial hair grow, to raise money and awareness for men’s physical and mental wellness.

Officers for the Cornelius Police Department are shading their faces this year for a member of their police family. Four-year-old Jade Thompson has been diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor. He’s the son of Captain Jennifer Thompson and North Carolina Highway Patrol Sergeant Eric Thompson. Lieutenant Steve Davis is trying to get community support.

“I like to see a lot of people get involved,” said Davis. “We need the financial support, obviously, but the emotional support for the family as well. It’s a trying time.”

At UNC Charlotte, the Kappa Sigma fraternity is aiming to raise $10 to $12,000 by letting their whiskers grow for the Military Heroes Campaign.

“We’ve always taken donations throughout the month,” said Payton Stull of Kappa Sigma. “Had brothers grow out beards, mustaches, all kinds of things to draw attention to it.”

We’re only a couple of days into the month, but it’s not too late to start. You want to just make sure you pick your charity, and then you want to get that beard down to the bare skin.

To donate to the Military Heroes Campaign, click here.

To support 4-year-old Jade Thompson, contact Lt. Steve Davis at (704)892-1363 or sdavis@corneliuspd.org.