Beginning November 1, you may have noticed our police officers looking a little scruffy. This is the fourth year they are participating in “No Shave November,” also known as Noshember and Movember.
This movement began in 2004 in a pub in Melbourne, Australia when 30 men grew a moustache for 30 days in order to raise awareness for prostate cancer and depression in men. This group would later become the Movember Foundation charity.
This movement started in in the United States in 2007 with a goal of growing awareness of men’s health and hair, which many cancer patients lose. No-shave.org has raised over a million dollars for the American Cancer Society. These organizations have been creating a difference.
For our officers, the month of November will unfold like this:
November 1: Razors stowed, indifference ignited and Noshember begins
November 1 to 7: The week will focus on scratching and curbing the desire to shave and relieve the itchiness.
November 7: Day of gnashing of teeth
November 14: Finally not looking ridiculous except for our younger Officers
Thanksgiving: Relatives complaining
November 29: Finally the younger Officers won’t look ridiculous
November 30: Photography day
December 1: Great festive day of razors and shaving
Noshember may result in “hairy situations” for anyone who comes in contact with our officers. But the month is for the greater good as each participating officer will be donating to cancer research. Again, this year the Police Officer’s Union will match all of our Officers’ donations. Last year, Noshember resulted in $3,150 being donated to fighting men’s cancer. Movember has raised $559 million since its start in 2007, also gaining millions of followers worldwide.
I continue to be proud of the passion and dedication of our men and women in blue in keeping our families safe while on duty. I am just as proud of their commitment to our community while off duty.
**The Voorhees Town Center Santa Arrival and Tree Lighting Ceremony will be on Friday, Nov. 15 starting at 6:30 p.m. The annual 36-foot holiday tree lighting will follow Santa’s arrival escorted by the Voorhees Township Police and Fire Departments. Enjoy the festive atmosphere with balloon artists, face painters, Holiday Hairspray by Cutting Crew, a presentation by Creative Motion, J-Dogs Food Truck and much more.
**Visit Santa at the Voorhees Town Center from Nov. 15 through Christmas Eve, during Mall hours. Bring your pets and have their photos taken with Santa every Monday evening at 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.voorheestowncenter.com.
** On Tuesday evenings through Dec. 17, the Voorhees Arts Center will be offering a free children’s art program for youth ages 8 and older. Children will experience many different opportunities to express themselves through art, including painting, sketching, photography and beading. Children can be dropped off after 6 p.m. and the program ends at 8:30 p.m. The programs are held at the Voorhees Arts Center located in the rear of the Food Court of the VTC Mall. These free programs are due to the generosity of the Fetbroyt Family and Columbia Bank. For more information,contact Marianne at (609) 315-6218.
