Lacey No-Shave November Extended Into December, Police Chief Says

LACEY TOWNSHIP, NJ - Get used to seeing Lacey police and emergency service workers looking a little more hirsute than usual, at least through the end of the year.

Lacey's "No-Shave November" - a campaign to raise money for cancer charities - ended at 5 p.m. on Thursday, still $1,700 short of its $6,000 goal. Both the Lacey Township Police Department and the Lacey Township Emergency Services pledged to reach $3000 each, for a total donation of $6000.

So Police Chief Michael C. DiBella decided to extend the initiative until Dec. 31, to meet the original goal.

The goal was quickly met after the "after" picture of the men was taken late Thursday afternoon, the chief said.

"As of 5 p.m. on November 30, 2017, the No-Shave November "Lacey Township Challenge" had received donations in the amount of $4303, approximately $1700 below our total goal," DiBella said. "During the after-photo I advised my officers that if each one of us could donate to this cause and bring the total to $5000 by 11:59 p.m., that I would extend the No-Shave policy for Lacey Township Police until 11:59 p.m. on December 31st, 2017. I am very honored to state that in just under two hours the additional funds were raised bringing the total to just over $5000. However, it didn’t stop there and we reached our goal of $6000."

Township police officers, along with members from the Forked River, Lanoka Harbor, and Bamber Lakes Fire Departments, the Lacey Township and Lanoka Harbor EMS Squads, and members from the Lacey Township Dive Team, participated in “No Shave November” to raise awareness and funding for cancer charities.

Funds raised by the “Lacey Township Challenge” went to charities including, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Prevent Cancer Foundation and Fight Colorectal Cancer. Donations on behalf of the police officers and the Emergency Services personnel were made directly to No-Shave.org under the Lacey Township Challenge.

"I am once again overwhelmed by the amount of support we received from our community and I truly want to thank everyone," the chief said. "Needless to say this event was a success and I am very proud of everyone who was involved."

The beards and moustaches will come off on Jan. 1 and the police department's grooming policy will be in full effect until next year's No-Shave November, DiBella said.

Anyone with questios may contact DiBella or Officer George Resetar at the Lacey Township Police Department at 609-693-6636.

Photo: Courtesy of Police Chief Michael C. DiBella