BRYAN, Texas — For local law enforcement officers and deputies, it was the end of the road for their facial hair Friday. The start of it all however, was for a good cause.
"We get to pick on each other and have fun while joking with other officers with how they can or can't grow a beard," said Lt. Bobby Richardson of the Texas A&M University Police.
The Texas A&M University Police Department, Bryan Police Department, Brazos County Sheriff’s Office and the College Station Police Department participated in the Beard It Up and Color for the Cure Campaigns to raise money for childhood cancer.
"Everyone knows someone that has been affected by cancer, we saw it as an opportunity to raise money for childhood cancer," Richardson said.
From Nov. 1 through Jan. 3, law enforcement departments, who are not usually allowed to grow facial hair, donated $50 to grow a beard and $30 to grow a goatee. Female officers also participated by donating $30 to paint their nails a color that represents a cancer that has affected them.
The departments raised $13,477.
"They represent bearded up because the four agencies were the first to come on with our campaign last year," said Melissa Fleming, the director of The Cure Starts Now, Austin/Round Rock chapter. "Because of them, other departments came on as well, so this year we had (56) departments in 9 states and were able to raise over $200,000."
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