A relaxation of rules concerning facial hair for Erie Bureau of Police officers has generated thousands of dollars for charity.
Bureau officials on March 18 presented donations to four nonprofit organizations from the $4,000 officers and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 7 raised during the bureau’s “No Shave November” event.
More than 150 officers participated in the event, which allowed the officers to grow facial hair in exchange for a donation, Police Chief Rick Lorah said.

Four nonprofit organizations were the recipients of $1,000 donations from the Erie Bureau of Police and Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 7 March 18 through funds raised by the bureau’s “No Shave November” event.
Under police policy, officers are permitted to grow mustaches but not beards or goatees, Lorah said. That rule was set aside for the event.
The $4,000 was raised through officer donations as well as some funding provided by the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge, Lorah said.
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Recipients of the money raised are the A.N.N.A. Shelter of Erie, the Mental Health Association of Northwestern Pennsylvania, the Robert Irvine Foundation and Shriners Children’s Erie.
Lorah said the bureau hopes to raise more money this year by possibly expanding the program.
Contact Tim Hahn at thahn@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie police donate to nonprofits though No Shave November event