Officers grow goatees
to raise funds to end domestic violence
The growing season may be months away, but for law enforcement officers in Aroostook County, January has seen a number of beards sprouting — raising funds and awareness for the Hope & Justice Project.
“If you live in the Fort Fairfield area, you may have noticed that some police officers are sporting a more rugged look for 2015. Why, you ask? Police Chief Bill Campbell and his officers are ‘growing’ their support for a future without violence against women — in the form of beards,” said Tim Goff, Fort Fairfield’s economic and marketing director.
Goff said monthly, from now until April, these bearded men in blue will each donate $25 to the Hope & Justice Project, raising awareness about the issue of domestic violence and contributing cash to help combat it. The Hope & Justice Project is the resource center for victims of abuse and violence in The County.
“Law enforcement officers in Aroostook County work closely with advocates at H&JP to ensure the safety of victims of abuse. It is the hopes of both groups that this initiative will not only raise awareness and funds for survivors of domestic violence, but will also strengthen relationships between officers and advocates,” noted Goff.
To that end, the Fort Fairfield Police Department is reaching out to other departments in The County to show their support by taking part in their Beards and Badges fundraiser.
“If each officer serving in a law enforcement agency in Aroostook took the time they normally spent shaving to educate others about the issue of domestic violence in our communities, we could make a tremendous impact,” said Campbell. “And the money raised by simply allowing our facial hair to grow will help victims of violence know that there is no excuse for domestic violence and that there are people willing to help them break the cycle of domestic violence.”
According to the FFPD Facebook page, so far the Ashland Police Department has four officers growing goatees, District Attorney Todd Collins is getting involved and the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office and Madawaska Police Department are looking into getting involved somehow.
“I’m challenging the rest of county law enforcement to step up and support this effort. Agencies: you don’t have to grow facial hair to be involved with this project, so what are you waiting for?” said Campbell, who opted to donate to the cause rather than grow a beard.
Aroostook County Sheriff Darrell Crandall said he supports the Beards and Badges fundraiser.
“Officers here may participate by donating, but may not grow facial hair,” said Crandall.
Fort Fairfield Town Manager Mike Bosse praised the FFPD for setting an example for other agencies to follow.
“The goatee project is a good way to raise funds and the guys are having fun with it. It’s a good thing and has boosted morale,” said Bosse.
Bosse noted the project has a uniting effect.
“It brings the whole law enforcement community together to focus on one thing — raising awareness and preventing domestic violence,” said Bosse.
He said this could turn out to be quite the fundraiser, if more people get involved.
“We need to publicize this — to get the general public to chime in and donate $25 each. This can be a community- and county-wide effort to raise funds for the Hope & Justice Project,” said Bosse.
For more information, visit the FFPD or Hope & Justice Project Facebook pages, or call Campbell at the FFPD at 472-3808 or email bcampbell@fortfairfield.org, or call Chelsie Higgins at 764-2977 or email chelsie@hopeandjusticeproject.org.
