For Immediate Release

Friday, Dec. 29, 2017

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Gloucester Police Department’s “Growing Hair Because We Care” Raises Over $4,000 for Childhood Cancer Research

GLOUCESTER — Interim Chief John McCarthy is pleased to report that the Gloucester Police Department’s annual facial hair fundraiser has resulted in a $4,750 donation to The Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s efforts to combat childhood cancer.

Since October, 42 members of the Gloucester Police Department donated $100 in exchange for a waiver from the department’s facial hair policy, allowing them to spend the last three months of 2017 growing neatly trimmed beards and goatees. Officer Joseph Parady once again led the fundraising effort as he has since its inception in 2013.

The department has run its “Growin Hair Because We Care” fundraising drive the last four years, and set a new donation record in 2017. In past years, Gloucester Police have donated thousands of dollars to breast cancer research and the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.

This year’s donation to the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute will support those organizations’ continued work to end childhood cancer.

“Each year our officers and members of our community step up to support great causes, and I’m proud of everyone who participated this year,” Chief McCarthy said. “We were able to raise more than we ever have, and I’m grateful for our department’s sustained commitment to giving back.”

In addition to the officers who participated, six members of the Gloucester community also contributed to the department’s fundraising efforts.

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