About M4K
This winter in Ottawa, a 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 $30,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Canada (Eastern Ontario chapter). The Ottawa chapter has been growing since 2005 and has raised over $125,000.
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, co-workers, distant relatives, acquaintences, 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, fu-mans, soul patches, stingers, or other redeeming facial hair is allowed.
The growing season beings at the Clean Shaven Day Kick-Off and for five 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 five weeks, a ‘Stache Bash Finale is held to determine whose ‘stache is sweetest, with much fame and hardware to go around.
The 2012 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 themselves too seriously.
Over the past 8 years, Mustaches for Kids has spread across the United States and Canada, 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 hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars for Make-A-Wish foundation.