Giving the library a bearded boost
ZELIENOPLE — Members of Zelienople police announced Monday at the borough council meeting that they raised $450 for the Zelienople Area Public Library after holding a “no-shave” November fundraiser.
Organizers leading the effort collected $50 from each participant, as a “ticket“ that then allowed them to grow out beards for a month.
“We don’t allow beards under the department policy,” Chief Jim Miller said.
So the chance to go bearded in support of a good cause gives officers ways to be creative, resulting in some cool beards, he said
Miller said a couple of the younger guys came to him with the idea. One of these officers, Officer Michael Petrie, presented the donations to the council Monday.
“That’s wonderful, and I don’t recognize any of you,” Mary Hess, council president, told the officers.
Mayor Thomas M. Oliverio asked if that meant everyone could shave now.
Petrie smiled. “I actually did shave,” he said.
“Who won?” asked Councilwoman Marietta Reed. “Who had the most facial hair?”
The answer to that question is nobody “won” because it wasn’t a contest. Just a chance to do something unusual for a good cause.
Around the room, council members applauded, thanked the officers and laughed.
“We were thinking about something in town here,” Miller said, referring to the choice of supporting the library. “That was one of the first things. People always donate to the library, books or something. And it’s something that’s kind of tied in with the borough right now.”
Miller said the department plans to select a different charitable organization for the donation next year.
“I think they wanted to turn out the community a little bit,” Miller said of the officers who participated.
