AMESBURY — The city’s Police and Fire departments have set aside their friendly rivalry and come together to support the Movember Foundation in what is known as No-Shave November.
The Movember Foundation is a national nonprofit group that advocates for and promotes men’s health, focusing mainly on mental health and suicide prevention, as well as common forms of cancer in men such as testicular and prostate cancer. The group has fundraisers scheduled during No-Shave November, or Movember, with folks supporting those who elect not to shave during the month.
First responders got involved by setting up accounts with the organization, with people able to follow the progress of their ever-growing facial hair and support them with donations through the profile.
Money raised by the group goes toward supporting innovative men’s health projects in the group’s key focus areas.
Amesbury police Officer Ronald Guilmette said his department began participating in No-Shave November a few years back.
“We’ve done everything from beards to this year we’re just doing mustaches, mohawks and mullets. Just having some fun with it, changing it up, looking silly for a good cause,” Guilmette said.
For the first time, they are partnering with their comrades from the Fire Department.
“We always are competing at the chili cook-off or the softball game every year, or at the Jordan Shay bowling tournament, there’s always some competition between Police and Fire. So it’s good to work together for a change for a good cause,” Guilmette said.
Fire Chief Jim Nolan said it is never too difficult to get his crew to participate.
“Most of us have mustaches anyway. I see some people that are growing them, and they’re getting a little bit bushier than normal,” Nolan said.
He shared his excitement for partnering with the Police Department.
“It’s good morale building between the two departments,” Nolan said.
Guilmette said they worked with a variety of local charities over the years, including Caidens Crusaders and Tough Warrior Princesses.
“We hadn’t done a men’s health charity. So Movember seemed like a good one to do,” Guilmette said.
He spoke about his hopes for the fundraising effort.
“We’re hoping to raise just a few thousand dollars to help out what seems like a pretty good charity for mental health,” Guilmette said.
He said that in past years, they managed to raise a lot of money.
“We’ve raised several thousand dollars for charity. This year, we’re up to I think $1,005 right now as a team,” Guilmette said.
He shared his message to those considering donating.
“Cancer touches everybody, so anytime you can give to a charity like this, it’s a good thing to do. It affects us all. I know several officers in the department, either through family members or friends, have seen prostate cancer and men’s health issues arise,” Guilmette said.
He said people can donate by visiting the Amesbury Fire Fighters IAFF Local 1783 Facebook page or the Amesbury Patrol Officer’s Union IBPO Local 629 Facebook page, or by scanning the QR code available at various local businesses.
For more information or to donate, visit: https://us.movember.com/team/2442271?mc=1&fbclid=IwAR3930gYxxle8JGuDlGc6nc8spYeICHNuF4bMBAxZrsW9qx3pr AK7e9WMwE&utm_medium=share&utm_source=dynamic&utm_campaign=copy-clipboard.
Matt Petry covers Amesbury and Salisbury for The Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: mpetry@northofboston.com.