Mustaches (Grown Locally) for Kids

The most interesting, iconic, and misunderstood of facial hair is raising money for children with cancer. Will you answer the call and grow a ‘stache?

Written By: Alexander Booth
Date Posted: 11/26/2009
Number of Views: 310

Since the invention of shaving, one style of facial hair has eclipsed all others. From the waxed handle bar of Salvador Dali, to the rugged walrus of Tom Selleck, to the nose neighbor of Ned Flanders, mustaches are a cultural icon of masculinity. Now, the unrivaled power of upper lip follicle growth has been harnessed for the betterment of society though an organization known simply as Mustaches for Kids.

Mustaches for Kids is a brotherhood of volunteers who raise money for various children’s charities. With dozens of chapters throughout North America, M4K has raised nearly one million dollars for a variety of children’s groups. Each charity must be for the benefit of children. Mustaches for Kids started in Los Angeles in 1999. Its mission was simple: Have fun and do good. In the subsequent ten years, thousands of volunteers, or growers, have taken part to make the world a little better, if not a little hairier.

I am a member of the Long Island Chapter of Mustaches for Kids. In 2007, two third grade students in Long Island teacher Billy Kupferman’s class were diagnosed with cancer. Wanting to help, Billy was inspired after seeing another chapter of Mustaches for Kids in action. Realizing it was a nationwide organization, he sought to open a chapter for Long Island. James Bogdan, Vinny Leis, and Justin Fitzmartin joined in to get the program rolling as founding organizers. Two years later, the Long Island chapter has grown as steadily as a well-groomed mustache.

The principle of M4K is simple. A four-week growing season is initiated with a clean shave day between Thanksgiving and Christmas every year. Each grower is required to shave at least once a week leaving only his mustache. The growers solicit donations from their friends, family, and coworkers. At the end of the growing season, each chapter throws a ‘Stache Bash. The ‘Stache Bash is a pageant-style party, where growers compete for the title of “Sweetest Stache.” Donations are also tallied, and final donations are collected.

Our chapter raises money for the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Many of the children on Long Island diagnosed with cancer are treated by Sloan-Kettering. All donations go to the Pediatric Free Care Fund, which helps families having trouble paying for their children’s cancer treatments. In 2007, we raised over $18,000, and in 2008, we raised over $23,000. With over 50 members, the Long Island chapter of Mustaches for Kids hopes to break last year’s record. We are based out of the Tiki Bar in Long Beach, NY, located at 832 W Beech St., Long Beach, NY 11561. If anyone is interested in growing, donating, or contributing in any capacity, check out our website. Clean shave day is November 13, 2009. There will be weekly checkpoint meetings at the Tiki Bar. Come grow with us!

Mustaches for Kids
- the organization’s main website; find a chapter near you, or look into starting one yourself

The Long Island Chapter of Mustaches for Kids

Alexander Booth’s Contribution Page
- for those interested in the cause, but not the ‘stache, donate to the Long Island Chapter of Mustaches for Kids directly via an online contribution page

Alexander Booth is a 24-year-old graduate of St John’s University currently living in Long Island. His educational background is in legal studies and creative writing. He can be contacted at Zanderbooth@gmail.com.

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