If you see more beards than usual, they might be attached to some charitable hockey fans.
The NHL’s annual Beard-A-Thon, presented by Just For Men, is now underway to raise money for a variety of hockey charities by encouraging men to throw away that razor and grow a beard.
Over the last six seasons more than 50,000 fans have stepped forward to raise more than $3 million for charity. The goal this year is to raise $1 million for funds like Kings Care, which is affiliated with the Los Angeles Kings, the Garden of Dreams Foundation (New York Rangers), The St. Louis Blues 14 Fund, and more.
Currently there are 2,305 “growers” who have raised $62,055 so far, but more are expected to flaunt some whiskers for the cause. On the program’s Web site, participants can register, choose their team, collect pledges from friends, business associates and family members, and share pictures of their bourgeoning beards across social media.
By receiving pledges, players are promising not to shave their beards until their team has won the Stanley Cup or been knocked out of the running.
If a player’s favorite team didn’t make it to the playoffs, they can still grow a beard for the charity Hockey Fights Cancer. And those who are unable to grow that luscious hair crop are encouraged to take up with a fellow beard grower and pledge, whether that be a friend or one of the NHL players who are participating.
“Playoff beards are one of the great traditions in hockey,” Ilitch Charities Manager Josh Sanborn said in an interview with WXYZ Detroit.
“We’re excited to give our fans a fun way to support the team on its playoff run, all while raising money for a great cause in the Detroit Red Wings Foundation.”
Game 2 is underway this weekend across the Western and Eastern conferences, but there’s still plenty of time to grow some facial hair for the cause.
The Beard-a-thon isn’t the only program centered around hair growth. November’s Movember movement encourages participants to sport their ‘stache in an effort to “change the face of men’s health.”