LACEY – Since 2016, November has been the month for members of the township police department to break protocol for a good cause and skip their shaving cream and razors.
“We have, in a joint effort with members of our Township’s Emergency Services, participated in the national “No-Shave November” campaign. During our four years, we have successfully raised over $21,000,” Police Chief Michael C. DiBella said.
The chief added, “these funds were disseminated through various cancer charities including, Prevent Cancer Foundation, Fight Colorectal Cancer, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as directed by the No-Shave November campaign.”
This year, the Lacey police officers will once again be breaking protocol “in the No Shave way, to help one of our own community leaders who has recently passed away,” Chief DiBella said.
“All of our donations raised this year will be forwarded to the family of Chief John Szafranski III of the Lanoka Harbor Volunteer Fire Company. Chief Szafranski was a dedicated No-Shave participant who was privately fighting his own courageous battle with pancreatic cancer for the past several years,” Chief DiBella added.
The chief said, “our initial goal for this year’s fundraiser was to keep the funds within the community and support Chief Szafranski’s family in his continued battle against cancer. With his unfortunate recent passing, we have decided to move forward with our plan.”
“We will still keep it local and we will still move forward and raise funds in Chief Szafranski’s honor. We are all first responders for our great township who pride ourselves on representing our supportive and caring community,” Chief DiBella said.
Chief DiBella added, “it is a member, such as Chief Szafranski, who not only has played a significant role toward the Emergency Services Community, but also toward making this the community we are proud to serve each day.”
“Chief Szafranski had been a great mentor to many of us, and an even better friend. He will be sorely missed by everyone in this community, and we will always honor his memory. We have invited all of our volunteer organizations to join forces with the police department and participate in this local campaign,” he said.
Recently the “Before” photograph was taken to show the clean-shaven officers as well as representatives from Lanoka Harbor EMS. At the conclusion of this event on November 30, 2020 an “After” photograph will be taken and posted online.
Chief DiBella thanked Police Sergeant George Resetar and Officer Michael Hutman for coordinating this initiative. “Additionally, I want to thank all of my police officers and the members of the emergency services for their dedication and assistance with this event.”
Police Officers won’t be getting too used to their new beards, though. At the conclusion of this event, the police department’s grooming policy will be back in full effect until next year’s “No Shave November.”
For those who have questions about the program or who wish to support the initiative contact call the Lacey Township Police Department at 609-693-6636 Ext. 2527 or e-mail Sergeant George Resetar at gresetar@laceypd.org or Officer Michael Hutman at mhutman@laceypd.org
To make a donation toward “No Shave November” visit: laceypba238.org/noshave/
