Some Texarkana, Ark., Police Officers are giving up their razors to raise money for the annual Shop with a Cop and Firefighter event.
Shop with a Cop is a charity event where local police and fire departments raise money to provide Christmas for disadvantaged families in the Texarkana area.
TAPD is using "No Shave November" to raise money this year.
"We have had a tremendous response to it. We have 29 officers from all ranks participating. Many of them have never even attempted a beard before so it's been a lot of fun," said Officer Kristi Bennett, spokeswoman for TAPD.
Shop with a Cop is Tuesday, Dec. 4. Children in Texarkana, Ark., and Miller County will shop at Walmart on Arkansas Boulevard.
Most of the officers have been busy growing their beards and looking for sponsors since October, Bennett said. So far, each officer has supported more than 30 children by paying $150 to compete. Since there are 29 officers competing, those contributions have
raised about $4,300.
The goal is $10,000 to spend on 100 children.
"We are almost halfway there," Bennett said.
TAPD does one a fundraiser a year for Shop with a Cop and has done things like kickball tournaments in the past.
"This has been really different," Bennett said.
Texarkana residents can help TAPD reach its goal of 100 children by sponsoring an officer. No donation is too small, and a sponsorship is easy.
The team at Pawn Express have always set the example when it comes to majestic beards, and they have issued a challenge to the competitors, Bennett said. They are offering the officer with the best beard a Glock 19X and the officer with the most sponsors will win a $250 gift certificate.
Donations can be made at any Milway Federal Credit Office or with the organization "Pink Behind the Thin Blue Line."
Anyone interested in sponsoring an officer can contact Bennett at 903-824-4199 or their chosen competitor, and one of them will provide all the details needed.