Buffalo Police Department and Erie County Sheriff’s Office Complete 2018 Beards for Bucks Program

The Buffalo Police Department (BPD) and Erie County Sheriff’s Office (ECSO) raised nearly $60,000 for Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center through Beards for Bucks – an extension to the Goin’ Bald for Bucks fundraising program. The money raised will support cancer research and patient-care programs at Roswell Park.

In order to be excluded from agency policies that prohibit beards, each participant made a donation toward their fundraising efforts and have been growing their facial hair since November 1, 2018. Female participants had the option to color their hair. To culminate their 2018 efforts, both agencies recently held beard-shaving events.

The BPD held their shaving event on December 28 and presented $35,600 to Roswell Park, including a $10,000 gift from the Police Benevolent Association. Since 2015, the BPD has raised a total $112,000 for Roswell Park through Beards for Bucks.

A number of participants from the ECSO were present for their shaving event held this morning at the Erie County Holding Center. Members of the Teamsters, ECSO PBA, and CSEA presented checks totaling $23,055, which includes matching gifts as well as donations contributed and raised by more than 400 deputies from the jail management division, police services and corrections officers from the Alden facility. The ECSO has participated in the program since 2016 and has contributed a total of $63,000 over the past three years.

Goin’ Bald for Bucks began in 2002, when Western New Yorker Cathleen George was being treated for cancer. Her brother, Tony, vowed to keep his head shaved until his sister’s hair grew back. Tony, a teacher at Lake Shore High School, shared his plan with his students. One student suggested they raise money while shaving Tony's head, and Bald for Bucks was born.

More information about Goin’ Bald for Bucks and Beards for Bucks can be found at BaldforBucks.org.