‘Don’t Stop’: No-Shave November philanthropy continues for Hampton police

No-Shave November is extending into “Don’t Stop December, January and February” for Hampton police officers.

Members of the department are participating in the annual effort to raise awareness about cancer while raising money for charity by letting facial hair take its natural course.

“Our department policy, when it comes to that dress code, is that we don’t allow facial hair, other than a moustache. But the guys can grow a full beard if they want to,” Chief Thomas Vulakovich said. “They make a monthly donation that goes into an account.”

From there, donations will be split between the Mrs. Claus Club Pittsburgh North Chapter and for the benefit of Hampton student Kaylee Manz.

Kaylee, a first grader at Central Elementary School, has acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a type of cancer that affects white blood cells. The disease starts in the bone marrow, the spongy tissue inside the bones where blood cells are produced, and occurs when the marrow produces immature white blood cells because of a gene defect.

The Mrs. Claus Club is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support to local women and men undergoing cancer treatment. The group has donated more than 500 baskets containing the likes of support literature, “Eating Well Through Cancer” cookbooks, Mrs. Claus Club mugs, wig brushes, knitted items, bracelets from Our Clubhouse, mouthwash, pillow cases, ginger candies, gum, tea and prayer shawls.

No-Shave November has the goal of promoting awareness by embracing hair, which many cancer patients lose, as participants donate the money they typically spend on shaving and grooming to educate about cancer prevention and aid those fighting the battle.

Along with forgoing shaving, officers in Hampton are participating in Presents from Police, which use proceeds to purchase gifts to be delivered to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Sunrise School for special education services in Monroeville and the Children’s Institute in Shadyside.

Presents from drop-off locations will be taken to the Aspinwall Police Department, where program founder David Nemec is an officer. All of the participating departments then form a caravan to deliver them to area children.

In Hampton, donations of unwrapped toys will be accepted through Dec. 14 at the police building lobby, municipal building and community center during regular business hours.

Another effort by the police department involves social services coordinators Angela Kenbok and Ashley Wilson working on a philanthropic project with Hampton Township School District.

“They are collecting toys for families in the community that maybe aren’t as fortunate as some others,” Vulakovich said.

The social service coordinators offer assistance in conjunction with traumatic incidents such as death, family conflicts, substance abuse issues, mental health concerns, homelessness, geriatric concerns, disputes, domestic violence, child and elder abuse, and sexual assault, and other issues. For more information, visit hampton-pa.org/372/Social-Services.