Don't Back Down

You may have heard about Movember on Problogger back in November when Darren grew a mustache for charity. He eventually raised more than $1800, a pretty impressive tally for growing a mustache (of course, at least $1200 came from the premium sponsors, who ended up with their buttons on the site - but still).

I didn't participate in Movember, mostly because I didn't read about it until it was already under way, but I did manage to catch wind of a charity with a similarly-odd name, Mustaches for Kids. No, it doesn't actually provide mustaches for kids who don't have them (though that might go over well), it raises money while growing mustaches, and the proceeds go to help kids. Simple enough, right? Well, yours truly will be growing a mustache for the next four weeks to help out the cause.

Since I don't usually shave every day (one of the advantages of working from home), and the rules state that I have to be clean-shaven, I had to start things off right. As I am often perpetually behind, I didn't have time to get to the official Shaving Day event, so I just did it here at home, with the help of Denise. That really is my ugly mug, fresh off a haircut and ready for a shave.

I typically don't grow mustaches - at least, not by themselves - and if I do shave, I'll trim it down to a beard of some kind, typically a goatee or soul patch arrangement. I'm not entirely sure why, probably because it's the most comfortable for me, and the fastest way to get out of the whole process (the chin being the most challenging part to shave). So I'm not sure how I'll like this, and since I have never worn a mustache for more than a couple of days here and there, I'm not sure how the family will like it, but I'm in for a month.

The rules states that mustaches must conform to corner-to-corner style, no Hitler-esque 'staches, and no handlebars either (I'm sure that everyone will appreciate that as well). At least once per week, participants must shave to get down to the mustache itself - no growing a beard for a month and then cutting down. There are regular checkpoints, but as most seem to be held at bars, I probably won't be making those (it remains to be seen if I'll make the final check-in on February 7th).

Once I shaved, it's like I was a new man (still an ugly mug, however). But now I'm ready for the challenge ahead. I hope that the family is. At least it's for a good cause.

Speaking of which - the fundraising is done in sponsorship style, but since this is online, that makes things a little more difficult. What I'm going to do is this: I will pledge $50, and I'd suggest that if you would like to join me, feel free to do so by visiting the Mustaches for Kids page at Donors Choose.

This actually allows you to determine where your money goes - when I just looked, there were 25 projects available, needing from $29 to $992 to reach their goals. You just pick one (or more) and donate. It really is that easy. I'd love to say that I'll match your donation, but with my luck, I'd end up with Google dropping by or something, so unfortunately I can't do that. What I will do is if you make a donation, simply send me a copy of your receipt (make screen capture of the page, or a copy of the email with pertinent details cleaned up if you like) and I'll add a link back to you in return.

Everyone wins. Remember, this is for the kids, so please - no spam and such. I don't have a problem with you promoting your site, but keep it clean. Please?

View the 2008 Mustaches for Kids Gallery (6 Images) »