PELHAM – For the month of November, several surrounding law enforcement agencies participated in No Shave November, which is a fundraiser benefiting the Wings of Hope Pediatric Foundation.

For the entire month, those participating in the fundraiser vowed not to shave at all. Instead, the officers reached out to area businesses and the community for monetary donations for Wings of Hope.

Hoover, Pelham, Helena, Alabaster and Montevallo police departments, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office participated in the fundraiser.

Wings of Hope is nonprofit that assists the families of children diagnosed with a terminal illness. The organization provides financial assistance and other means of support to allow the families to spend as much time together as possible.

Wings of Hope was started in 2010 and the month-long fundraiser raised awareness and continued to contribute to families who need support.

On Dec. 4, it was announced that the participating law enforcement agencies in Shelby County raised a record $59,389, which is $7,466 more than what was raised last year. Of that amount, the Pelham Police Department contributed $14,519.

Among the PPD’s contributors was Pelham Oaks and Pelham Ridge elementary schools. Together the two schools donated almost $1,300 to the PPD, according to the department’s Facebook page.

As a way to say thank you to the two schools, the student resource officers agreed to allow the students at their respective schools to choose a crazy design for their beards.

Pelham Oaks students chose a spider for SRO Paul Martin. Students at Pelham Ridge picked an upside-down triangle for SRO Robert Getts.

According to a Facebook post from Wings of Hope, a few of the agencies expect more donations roll in, bringing the total to an anticipated $60,000 by mid-December.

“We are humbled by the support these agencies give to the Wings of Hope year after year for No Shave November,” the Facebook post stated. “This year we have provided services to 50 families. This is double the number of families we provided support to last year. We could not assist these families without the support of these agencies.”

Martin also won the Best Beard award at a ceremony held at the Pelham Civic Complex marking the end of the fundraiser. PPD Sgt. James Carter won the Spirit of No Shave November award. An officer with the Alabaster Police Department won the award for most creative beard.

The following law enforcement agencies participated in No Shave November:

Hoover Police Department raised $19,700

Pelham Police Department raised $14,519

Shelby County Sheriff’s Office raised $12,400

Helena Police Department raised $4,215

Alabaster Police Department raised $3,909

Shelby County District Attorney’s Office raised $3,650

Montevallo Police Department raised $996