If You've Seen Bearded Cops In Bergen County, There's A Tragic Reason

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — If you've seen police around your borough with a little more facial hair lately, there's a generous reason.

Each fall and winter, police officers in Bergen County grow their beards long to draw attention to various charities. This year was no different.

Wyckoff's police kicked off the season of giving (and not shaving) on the last day of October, saying they were "putting down the razors and growing out the fuzz to raise awareness and funds for Rare is Beautiful — an incredible organization dedicated to finding a cure for Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome and supporting families affected by childhood cancer."

Puetz-Jeghers is a rare genetic disease that causes growths inside one's digestive tract, increasing the cancer risk for sufferers.

"Every dollar helps us get closer to a cure and brings hope to those who need it most," they wrote. Donations for that cause may be sent via PayPal to: @wyckoffpba261

Coach And Dad Of 3 Dies

And early this month, the Woodcliff Lake police posted that they and more than a dozen other departments in Bergen County are participating in the "Borough of Beards" fundraiser for local coach and dad Chris Woolis, an Elmwood Park resident.

Tragedy has struck the Woolis family twice. Thirteen years ago, Chris Woolis and his wife Christa lost one of their infant triplets, John, at 9 months of age. Then, this past September, Woolis, 57, died of cancer — just seven days after being diagnosed, according to a GoFundMe set up for the family.

Woolis was a local sportswriter, father of twin boys and a girl, Little League coach, and an analyst at a risk assessment company.

Find out more about Woolis and donate to the GoFundMe here: Memorial Service Set For Bergen County Coach And Father Of 3

"Every donation, no matter the size, helps make an impact," noted the Elmwood Park police.

Learn more about "Borough of Beards" here.