Mustaches for Kids is a volunteer-run organization started in Los Angeles in 1999 to do good and have fun by growing Mustaches for children’s charities. Since its humble beginnings, Mustaches for Kids satellite chapters have spread across the continent, a steady expansion that is not unlike the measured, deliberate growth of a Mustache. Mustaches for Kids has enjoyed the efforts of an impressive number of Growers who, collectively, have raised over a million dollars for children’s charities.

Here’s how it works: Each year, during the four-week Growing Seasonbetween Thanksgiving and Christmas, Growers sprout sweet, sweet Mustaches. Per Mustaches for Kids bylaws, they shave their faces, except for the Mustache, a minimum of one time per week and solicit donations from friends, family, co-workers, and people in the community. Kind of like getting pledges to run a marathon, without the exertion, cramping, or dehydration. Call it a facial hair marathon.

This winter throughout Connecticut, a yet-to-be-determined number of brave souls will sacrifice their faces and dignities as Growers for Mustaches for Kids. Our goal is to use our pushbrooms to raise $20,000 for Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.

Conceptually, Mustaches for Kids works like the read-a-thons you did in grade school. Except there’s no reading requirement. And you’re growing a mustache. (OK not exactly the same but you get the idea). Each Grower collects pledges from friends, coworkers, distant relatives, acquaintances, local merchants and bus drivers to sponsor their ’stache.

Oh, one more thing… each ’stache is limited to the Magnum P.I. ‘corner-to-corner’ style preferred by motorcycle cops and little league coaches the world over. No goatees, fumans, soul patches, stingers, or other redeeming facial hair is allowed.

The growing season begins at the Clean Shaven Day Kick-Off and for four glorious weeks thereafter, sweet, sweet ’staches are cultivated. During the growing season, Growers and Sponsors have the opportunity to meet up at weekly Weigh-Ins to give each other moral support, enjoy a beverage or two, and compare their facial follicle follies. At the end of four weeks, a ‘Stache Bash Finale is held to determine whose ’stache is sweetest, with much fame and hardware to go around.

The 2018 crop of Growers will be a diverse group of men who all share at least two things in common: a desire to make a difference in the lives of some special kids and the ability to not take himself too seriously.