MIDDLEBURY — Many Addison County police officials will be sporting some fuzzy faces this month as part of the second annual “Deer Camp Beards for Kids with Cancer” benefit.
All local, municipal law enforcement agencies — including the Addison County Sheriff’s Department — have temporarily relaxed their respective grooming protocols to allow officers to grow beards. Participating officers are asked to contribute to a pool of money destined for Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, a South Hero camp that provides great recreational experiences for children battling cancer, as well as their families.
Participating officers may encourage family and friends to contribute to the fund-raising effort, but are discouraged from soliciting from community members during the course of their jobs. But if a citizen asks about the officer’s beard and wants to contribute, the officer can pursue that donation, according to Middlebury Police Officer Darrin Hinterneder.
Middlebury officers have been OK’d to grow their beards from Oct. 7 (beginning of bow-hunting season) through Dec. 11 (end of muzzleloader season). The department has also created some related buttons that donors can obtain with a $30 contribution. Last year’s benefit raised $2,000 for Camp Ta-Kum-Ta.
For more information, call Middlebury police at 388-3191.