If you’ve noticed a little extra hair on the faces of men around Mansfield, it may not be just to keep warm for the winter. Many men, and women, have thrown out their razors this past month to participate in No Shave November, a web-based, non-profit organization devoted to growing both hair and cancer awareness, as well as raising funds towards preventing the disease, saving lives, funding research, educating, and aiding those fighting the battle.
Four local friends decided this month to go one step beyond simply growing out their hair. Ben McChristy, Doug Ferrell, Kim Petroff and Nathan Vent all put their heads and resources together to organize three separate fundraisers to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
“It sort of snowballed, to tell you the truth,” said McChristy with a laugh. “At first it was the four of us deciding we weren’t going to shave and make personal donations. And like all good ideas, it started over drinks.”
The No Shave November movement started in 2009 as a way for individuals to give the money usually spent on grooming costs (ranging from a few dollars for razors to a $100 salon visit) to a cancer charity instead. In 2013, No Shave November partnered with the American Cancer Society to ensure that the funds raised in the annual campaign would be distributed to research, prevention, education, and continuing care.
This year isn’t the first year McChristy and his friends have participated in No Shave November, but it is the first year they’ve all stuck to it. He said the four of them decided to recruit everyone they knew to participate and try to raise as much funds as they could.
“We’ve never really done too much like this before, but as soon as this came up everybody was in,” said Ferrell. “We just never really do anything like this. I think we’ve all had it in us, that we’d like to do it, but we never do – life just takes over. So when everybody was on board this time, we were ready to go.”
“And this is our first event with all us friends doing it together, which makes it really special,” added Petroff.
The four friends hosted fundraising events at three local businesses around town. McChristy and Ferrell each donated their tips collected after a five-course tasting event at China Club and raised $860 in one day. Two local bars, Martini’s on Main and Sami’s Bar in downtown Mansfield, also hosted fundraising nights where tips were donated and proceeds for certain drinks going towards the American Cancer Society. The four friends easily achieved their $1,000 goal and then some.
“Next year our goal is to double the work we’ve done, every week have an event going on somewhere, really make it be busy going on in the month of November,” said Ferrell.
“Other friends are financially supporting, if not growing the beard,” added McChristy.
As for the challenge of not shaving for an entire month, the group has experienced varying levels of difficulty.
“My beard isn’t bothering me at all; I think I’m going to keep it going,” said Ferrell.
“Mine is super itchy, it’s driving me crazy,” said McChristy with a laugh.
Petroff agreed that it’s been hard not to shave her legs, but that it’s been more than worth it.
“I hate unshaved legs, but I’ve stuck with it,” she said. “Each time I want to shave I keep thinking nope; it’s for the cause. It really makes you aware when you don’t shave.”
“What’s 30 days of not shaving and dealing with that to somebody who has cancer,” said Ferrell.
