By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

HELENA—The Helena Police Department has taken up the ‘no-shave November’ challenge, Lt. Brad Flynn announced during a Nov. 4 Helena Business Association meeting.

“Some of us are looking a bit more rugged than we usually do, and there’s a reason for this,” Flynn said, confirming the department’s participation in no shave November. “We’re all getting together to benefit Wings of Hope.”

Wings of Hope Pediatric Foundation provides services such as house cleaning, meals, lawn care and financial assistance to families of terminally ill children, allowing the families to focus on spending time with their children. The foundation was created in part by Shelby County Assistant District Attorney Tonya Willingham after losing two children to Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1.

“I can’t think of a more worthy cause,” Flynn said. “We are all 100 percent involved with it, and I can’t think of a better reason to not shave.”

Along with the Pelham and Alabaster police departments, the Helena Police Department will be “raising as much money as we can” throughout November to donate to Wings of Hope Pediatric Foundation. If the Helena Police Department raises $1,000 Chief Doug Jones has promised to shave his mustache.

“If you know Chief Jones, this is a big thing,” Flynn said.

Flynn encouraged the Helena business community to participate in no shave November by donating to the cause.

“This is essentially a community project for us,” Flynn said. “We’d love to have your support.”

Flynn said the Helena Police Department will continue to accept donations throughout the month, and a “big check” will be presented to the Wings of Hope Pediatric Foundation during a celebration including the Alabaster and Pelham police departments at the Alabaster Buffalo Wild Wings on Dec. 1.