Across the Wawasee Community School Corp., over 40 men are participating in No Shave November as a means to raise funds and awareness for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Syracuse Elementary School’s scruffy participants are, from left, Principal Jim Garner; Steve Cunnington; Jace Stewart, who organized No Shave November; Derek LaShure; Chris Dykhuisen; Todd Lucas; Matt Hoffert; Bill Lantz and Kris Brady. (Photo by Rebekah Whirledge)

The male staff of Wawasee Community School Corp. may appear a bit more scruffy than usual this month. No, they are not just trying to stay warm for the winter. They are growing their beards out all month as part of No Shave November, with the hopes of raising funds and awareness for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Cystic fibrosis is a debilitating genetic disorder causing a multitude of respiratory and digestive difficulties. Approximately 1,000 babies are born each year with the disorder, and the average life expectancy is in the mid- to late-30s. Because only 30,000 people or so suffer from this disease in the U.S., there is not any government program in place for research.

“It is up to people like us to go out and raise money. Wawasee has many connections to CF, and the more awareness we raise, the more stories arise linked to it,” said Jace Stewart, the fifth-grade teacher at Syracuse Elementary School who organized No Shave November at Wawasee schools.

“I approached Dr. Edington with an idea I had learned about from friends working in a neighboring corporation. The idea of No Shave November is that gentlemen grow their beards out for the entire month, something many professionals have never done. It takes people out of their comfort zones while raising a few eyebrows in curiosity, and that’s exactly what the CFF needs. Immediately, our superintendent was on board with the idea,” Stewart explained.

The non-beard growing staff at Wawasee is also able participate in raising awareness and funds for cystic fibrosis. For the privilege of wearing blue jeans to work, Wawasee staff members can pay $1 per day which goes directly toward to the CFF.

“Again, Dr. Edington let us run with it, and that portion of the fundraising has absolutely exploded,” said Stewart. “Almost instantly, emails flew in from all over the corporation committing to full payment for the month right up front. In my opinion, it is this type of selfless mentality that makes Wawasee stand out as an incredible place to work, live and send our children to school. We have had people step up in each building to coordinate and collect funds, and without them, this would have been a much more difficult undertaking.”

Stewart is hoping to build upon the success of this year’s No Shave November and make it an annual event that includes the community. There is currently a No Shave November to Fight Cystic Fibrosis page on Facebook that is open to anyone to join and keep up to date with the program.

“Between school and the Facebook group, we have over 40 ‘Brothers in Beard’ banning together to destroy this destructive disease.”