Hampton police get scruffy in No Shave November for Mrs. Claus Club

Some Hampton Police officers are getting a little furry overe for the next couple months to raise awareness and money for a charitable cause.

Half of the department is participating in No Shave November, a month-long journey to help support cancer prevention, research and education. Hampton police officers will be extending their month-long commitment through January to continue to raise funds for the Pittsburgh North Chapter Mrs. Claus Club.

Sgts. Kevin Thornburg and Robert Kirsopp spearheaded the effort after hearing about other local police departments like Shaler and Northern Regional doing the tradition in previous years. The pair mentioned the idea to Police Chief Thomas Vulakovich in late October. The department has a clean shave policy, but Vulakovich authorized officers to partake in growing out their facial because of the good cause behind it.

“For them to want to do this for a good cause, it shows they have heart,” Vulakovich said.

The Mrs. Claus Club is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring comfort and support to men and women undergoing cancer treatment. One way the organization provides support to those battling against cancer is by providing comfort baskets filled with various items, such as a cookbook, mouthwash, journal, tea, gift card, pillowcase, chemo cap and more. The police department chose the Mrs. Claus Club because Thornburg heard about it through a friend who had personally received a comfort basket.

”It feels rewarding from a personal touch. It is rewarding to pay back to an organization that does such wonderful things for people battling cancer,” he said.

Growing out facial hair is not the only way officers can help out for the cause. Thornburg said officers are participating in the effort in various ways. Some will shave at the end of each month, others may trim here and there or just donate while continuing to shave. Each officer pays a specific dollar amount each month, Thornburg said.

“I think we all decided as long as what we decide to grow looks professional then we are OK with that,” he said.

Thornburg encourages the community to participate in the department’s effort by donating money to the Mrs. Claus Club. Monetary donations can be sent directly to the website or through mail to Mrs. Claus Club, P.O. Box 621, Allison Park, PA 15101