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Oct. 21--Firefighters in Whatcom County (Wash.) are putting a twist on a moustache-growing tradition, turning their annual "Stachetober" challenge into a fundraiser for burn victims.
For years, firefighters in districts around the county have had a voluntary ban on shaving their upper lips throughout the month of October. As South Whatcom Fire District organizers put it, it was a sign that, "I love the fire service so much, I'm willing to look like an idiot to prove it."
But this time, a few firefighters tossed around idea of using the event to benefit and raise awareness for the Northwest Burn Foundation.
Mostly with donations from family and close friends, District 8 has already surpassed the original goal of raising $3,000 for the burn center. But they're looking for help from the public as well.
About 30 members of the district that serves the Marietta/Lummi Reservation areas are growing their moustaches to show their support, said firefighter Aaron Solowski.
That's "just about every single one of us," he said.
"Before, our wives and girlfriends didn't really appreciate it as much as we did," Solowski said. "But now that we have a good cause behind it, they've been very supportive."
Moustachioed firefighters in other districts, including South Whatcom, Lynden and District 18 serving south Lake Whatcom, also have thrown their support behind the cause.
Beards, however, aren't allowed: To properly wear an oxygen mask that's sometimes used while fighting fires, the jaw line needs to be clean-shaven.
Solowski recently took a tour of the Harborview Burn Center and was touched by the work that doctors and nurses do for burn victims.
"It's something that strikes deep with firefighters," he said.
Donations can be made through District 8's or South Whatcom Fire's fundraising Web pages: Crowdrise.com/stachetober and Crowdrise.com/SWFA.
For more information about the Northwest Burn Foundation, visit nwburn.org.
Reach CALEB HUTTON at [email protected] or call 715-2276.
