By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

ALABASTER—Beards may be all the rage in the fashion industry, but to Shelby County law enforcement officers, they’re much more than a style—at least for the month of November.

Five police departments and the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office joined together for the second annual “No Shave November,” raising a combined $44,546 for The Wings of Hope Pediatric Foundation.

“Oh gosh, both (Dr.) Dan (Trotman) and I were speechless,” Vice President of The Wings of Hope Pediatric Foundation and Shelby County Assistant District Attorney Tonya Willingham said. “That means there are so many more families (we can help).”

The Wings of Hope Pediatric Foundation provides assistance to families with terminally ill children, such as paying bills, house cleaning and preparing food.

“We relieve families of the day-to-day menial tasks and stresses (so they) can focus more on their family and ill child,” Willingham said.

After losing two children to Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1, Willingham joined with Dr. Dan Trotman to start The Wings of Hope Pediatric Foundation in 2010.

“We have seen Tonya be strong through a parent’s worst nightmare (and) make it into something special to help others,” Shelby County District Attorney Jill Lee said, noting the District Attorney’s Office was happy to support the cause.

The No Shave November event was started last year by the Pelham Police Department, and quickly taken up by the Alabaster and Helena police departments. This year, two more police departments joined in the friendly competition—Hoover and Montevallo.

“Tonya came to see me, and we knew she wanted to do a No Shave November, which I’m totally against,” Hoover Police Department Chief Nick Derzis said. “It took about 10 minutes and I said, “We’re in”… It’s a fantastic cause.”

Police officers are often required to be clean-shaven, so No Shave November gave officers a fun break from the rules.

“I’ve been a police officer since I was 22 years old, and I’ve never gone over a week without shaving,” Hoover Police Lt. Chuck McDonald said. “It’s a very big deal for us. We were pleasantly surprised we got to do it this year.”

Numerous female police department officials and members of the District Attorney’s office also joined in by wearing colored nail polish throughout the month.

No Shave November culminated with a celebration at Buffalo Wild Wings in Alabaster on Nov. 30, including a beard-judging contest at 7 p.m.

With twice the number of participant groups and more than triple the funds raised, this year’s No Shave November was far larger than last year’s edition, and Pelham Police Sgt. Mike Williams said he hopes to see the event continue to grow and raise more for The Wings of Hope Pediatric Foundation.

“It’s about the output going to the organization,” Williams said. “To see someone that’s touched by something that means a lot to them… it just makes life better.”