Biloxi Fire Department growing beards for male cancer awareness and prevention
Things are looking a little hairy at the Biloxi Fire Department in an effort to raise money for male cancer awareness and prevention.
Beginning in November, Biloxi firefighters were able to donate $20 to grow a beard, something the department doesn’t typically allow.
After paying the initial buy in, firefighters are allowed to keep their facial hair until someone donates $20 or more to have them shave it.
In order to keep their mustaches, stubble, or whiskers, the firefighters must donate $5 or 25 percent of the amount donated. Biloxi Fire Chief Nicholaus Geiser said, “We have strict regulations on no facial hair for your seals on your mask and all that. So, we have to be very careful on what we do and had to set out strict guidelines and that sort of thing. But I think the guys are enjoying it. Then we took it a little step further where you can harass each other and buy each other out and re-buy in. So, it’s doing pretty well right now.”
Donations through PayPal can be made at BFD@Biloxi.ms.us. Cash or check donations can be dropped off at any fire station.
On January 1st, all facial hair will be shaved and the department will choose the charities that will receive the donations.
