This news item expired on Sunday, June 2, 2019 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.
It’s a new look for the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, and we admit that it’s growing on us. Sheriff’s Deputies are not allowed to have beards, but for the month of February Deputies can donate $40 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in return for a no-shave waiver that allows them to have neatly groomed facial hair. Basically, it’s a hairy situation for a good cause that’s a cut above the rest.
The no-shave waivers are part of a larger effort for Deputy Jason Ratcliff, Detective Tonya Reeves, and Corporal Shawn Wildes to raise $12,000 in sponsorships ahead of a June 1 Trailblaze Challenge. That event is one-day, 28.3-mile hike with all the money the trio raises going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
“What I enjoy the most is being able to see the smiles on the children’s faces that I am raising the money for. The Make-A-Wish Foundation allows children battling critical illnesses to build the hope and strength they need to fight harder and see the impossible become possible,” says Corporal Wildes.
A number of Sheriff’s Office employees are enjoying and taking advantage the waiver. “This is great. We’ve never been able to have facial hair before, and doing it for such a great cause makes it even better,” says Deputy Ratcliff.
For more information about the Trailblaze Challenge and to learn about sponsoring the group, click here.