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 $25,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Canada (Eastern Ontario chapter). The Ottawa chapter has been growing since 2005 and has raised over $200,000.
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.
This year’s 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 12 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.