by Kyle Wells [email protected] As November comes to a close that can only mean one thing: men and women alike are sighing in relief as the moustaches that have been growing for the past 30 days finally face the razor.
Movember comes but once a year and with it arrives the opportunity for any man who can grow facial hair, and many more who can’t, to help raise awareness and money for prostate cancer research by sprouting soup strainers. The movement, which started in Australia in 2003, grows each year as more and more Mo Bros sport ‘staches for the cause.
Here in Powell River many businesses and organizations have taken part in the initiative and have luckily not scared off customers and clients with the no longer fashionable facial adornment.
The crew at NAPA Auto Parts did their best Smokey and the Bandit impersonations and grew a little lip hair for the cause. Team leader Ryan Newman said they decided to get involved as an excuse to grow moustaches and because many of them have had either family or friends diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The crew collected donations online through the Movember website and also hosted a draw for a pair of racing gloves that could be entered for $1 and a vote for who on the crew has the sweetest ‘stache. Newman predicted that the women, or Mo Sisters, would win the popularity contest, but said jokingly that they only need to smile to win the votes.
Wes Brown, owner of WB Contracting, said some members of his crew took a little convincing but that everyone did their best to grow some facial hair. He said some of the younger members of the crew are struggling and that everyone looks a little “goofy,” but it’s all for a good cause. Sorry-looking moustaches aside, the team has managed to raise $600 at the time of writing.
“With some reluctance we had most of the guys decide to go for it,” said Brown. “Everybody in my crew does not normally wear a moustache, so it’s pretty interesting. Lots of laughs.”
School District 47’s Jay Yule, superintendent of schools, Steve Hopkins, secretary treasurer, and Leonard Crivea, manager of facilities and transportation, together with Doug Skinner, Powell River Board of Education trustee, and Scott Randolph, Powell River Regional Economic Development Society director, have joined as the MoDiculous Men of MoRiver and raised $225 on the Movember website.
Terry Peters, Powell River Fire Rescue deputy chief, said that after his moustache last year he has actually managed to raise $150 by promising not to grow one this year.
“I guess I had a pretty pathetic attempt last year,” said Peters. “Mind you I wasn’t as bad as some...It’s all for the cause of course.”
Many of Powell River’s firefighters did, however, sport their ‘staches to raise funds and support. Peters said the men have been looking dapper “as usual” and that they have been raising money as a group and as individuals to support the movement. Darryl Jackson, auxiliary firefighter, organized this year’s group called Mo Stash Fire, and as of the time of writing they had raised $195.
“A lot of the guys’ wives hate it,” said Jackson, “but it’s a wonderful cause and at the same time it’s a lot of fun.”
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