THE SHERIFF’S MUSTACHE — Danica Mills clips the curls of Hancock County Sheriff Ralph Fletcher’s iconic handlebar mustache Tuesday following the announcement of a donation of more than $8,000 through a No Shave November fundraiser held by local law enforcement officers. Mills raised nearly $600 through a door-to-door collection. Fletcher has had the handlebars for decades and used a depiction of the mustache on signs during his most recent political campaign. -- Craig Howell

Officers from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, Weirton Police Department, New Cumberland Police Department and Chester Police Department participated this year; the fourth for the local effort.

“All of the departments within the county decided not to shave,” Hancock County Sheriff Ralph Fletcher explained, noting each officer who participated donated $100 in addition to encouraging others to donate.

Proceeds were presented Tuesday to the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Donations came from throughout the county, with officials noting Allison Elementary collected $1,500, and the Chester Volunteer Fire Department also made a donation. The goal for the year had been $7,000.

NO SHAVE DONATION — Members of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department and Weirton, Chester and New Cumberland police departments gathered Tuesday to donate more than $8,000 to the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. The funds are part of what has been collected as a result of the local officers’ No Shave November program. Officials expected the final tally to be nearly $9,000 once final donations are included. -- Craig Howell

One of the donors, local youth Danica Mills, was invited to take part in Tuesday’s donation for a special purpose.

Fletcher personally had pledged to raise a minimum of $1,000, with the person giving him the biggest donation receiving an opportunity to clip off the curls of his iconic mustache.

“She went door to door, and she raised just about $600,” Fletcher said.

Fletcher said he has had the mustache since 1977.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jack Wood also has been participating in the effort, pledging to have his hair cut and donated to Wigs for Kids. Wood will continue to collect donations until Dec. 16, at which time his hair will be cut at a salon.

Online contributions may be made at www.generosity.com/ community-fundraising/get-a-haircut-children-s-hospital.

As of Tuesday afternoon, $500 had been collected.

Amy Rayman, associate director of corporate and community giving for the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation, expressed her appreciation for the contribution, saying while many think of the treatments for illnesses, Children’s Hospital provides many other services and programs.

Donations such as this make certain those programs are possible.

“They get the bridge between what has to happen and what can happen,” she said.

Fletcher said, even though the effort is something as simple as not shaving, it is satisfying to know they are able to help someone.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)