Going scraggly: Kendall Sheriff’s Office raises funds for a good cause by putting down their razors

Once again, Kendall County Sheriff’s officials put down their razors and let their facial hair grow long to raise money for local not-for-profit organizations.

The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office participated in “No Shave November,” a month-long fundraising and awareness effort held annually.

County Sheriff Dwight Baird said during the Nov. 19 Kendall County Board meeting that he was sporting his beard as part of the month-long fundraising effort. He said sheriff’s office employees voted which not-for-profit organization would receive the donation this year, and employees opted for Badge of Life, a non-profit organization based out of Streamwood.

“With t-shirt sales and the ‘No Shave November’ [donations], we’ve raised $1,080,” Baird said.

Badge of Life is dedicated to educating and training law enforcement about mental health and suicide prevention, according to a Monday, Dec. 2 news release from the sheriff's office.

Sheriff’s officials said 32 deputies from the office participated in this year’s “No Shave November.”

Last year, sheriff’s officials voted for funds raised to go to one KenCom dispatcher and her family during her battle against an aggressive cancer called T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma, according to a 2018 news release from the sheriff’s office. Sheriff’s deputies and employees, as well as members of the community, helped raise a total of $1,152 last year.

Baird said other beneficiaries from the fundraising effort in the past have included the Kendall County Community Food Pantry. The 2017 event resulted in $900 raised, which enabled the food pantry to purchase $8 worth of goods for every dollar donated.

“But that’s what the troops voted for” this year was for Badge of Life, Baird said.

For more information about this year’s “No Shave November” beneficiary, visit badgeoflife.org.