City PD's "No Shave November" Campaign Benefits Community

(EFFINGHAM CITY POLICE CHIEF JEFF FUESTING {left} AND EFFINGHAM MAYOR JEFF BLOEMKER {right} JOIN CITY POLICE OFFICERS IN MAKING A FINANCIAL DONATION TO JODI WAYMOTH FOR THE "FEAR NOTHING" CAMPAIGN)

A new tradition started this year by Effingham Police Department wrapped up Friday, and resulted in multiple donations to local residents and organizations.

Police Chief Jeff Fuesting sought a way to fulfill the mission of the Department to enhance the quality of life in the City of Effingham for the holidays. The Chief selected "No Shave November", which is recognized nationally as a month-long campaign where participants give up shaving in order to raise awareness about cancer. as a way for officers and department employees to have fun and at the same time give back to the community.

(CITY POLICE OFFICERS ALSO MADE A PRESENTATION OF FOOD ITEMS TO SISTER SANDRA SUDKAMP FOR THE CATHOLIC CHARITIES FOOD PANTRY)

Starting on October 29th and running through November 30th, officers and staff had the chance to put their razors away for a full month and grow full beards or goatees, which are normally not permitted. Female employees were authorized to wear a "thin blue line" hair extension donated and fitted by Nikki Hilton of Bladez Hair Salon. To participate, each member was required to donate $50 as well as one non-perishable food product, and in the spirit of giving, many donated additional items.

Chief Fuesting declared the campaign an "absolute success", with employee monetary donations totaling well over $1,200. A full Thanksgiving dinner was given to three separate families who have a family member currently battling cancer. Dozens of canned goods were donated to Catholic Charities Food Pantry and Mobile Food Pantry in time for Thanksgiving. In addition, a $1,229 donation was made to Fear Nothing Cancer Support, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing support for cancer patients and their families in Effingham, Cumberland, Jasper, Clay, Fayette and Shelby counties, where 100% of funds stay in the community in the form of gift cards for local cancer patients who are current undergoing treatment.

Chief Fuesting said, "we chose to participate in this campaign to give back to those in need throughout our community, and our employees were excited to contribute. We appreciate Nikki Hilton and Bladez Salon for donating time and supplies to help make this fun and successful for all our members."

If you'd like to know more about how to help these organizations, check out these websites:

Fear Nothing: www.fearnothing.life

Catholic Charities: www.cc.dio.org/locations/effingham