This March in Madison, brave souls will sacrifice their faces -- and dignities -- as Growers for Mustaches for Kids. Our goal is to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Wisconsin.
Conceptually, Mustaches for Kids works like the read-a-thons you did in grade school. Except there's no reading requirement. And you're growing a mustache. (Okay, so it's not that much like the read-a-thon, but you get the idea.) Each Grower collects pledges from friends, co-workers, distant relatives, etc. to sponsor their ‘Stache.
Oh one more thing...each 'stache is limited to the Magnum P.I. 'corner-to-corner' style preferred by motorcycle cops and little league coaches the world over. No goatees, fu-man, soul patches, stingers, or other redeeming facial hair is allowed.
The growing season beings at the Clean Shaven Day Kick-Off and for four glorious weeks thereafter, sweet, sweet 'staches will be cultivated. During the growing season, Growers and Sponsors have the opportunity to meet up at weekly Mustache Measurement Events to give each other moral support, enjoy a beverage or two, and compare their facial follicle follies. At the end of four weeks, a 'Stache Bash Finale is held to determine whose ‘Stache is sweetest, with much fame and hardware to go around.
The 2007 crop of Growers will hopefully be a diverse group of men -- doctors and lawyers, teachers and artists, captains of industry -- who all shared at least two things in common -- a desire to make a difference in the lives of some special kids and the ability to not take themselves too seriously.
History of Mustaches for Kids
Mustaches for Kids was started in Los Angeles in 1999. Over the past five years, Mustaches for Kids has spread across the country, a steady expansion that is not unlike the measured, deliberate growth of a mustache. Today there are Mustache for Kids chapters in Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, New York, and Richmond, VA. Collectively, Mustaches for Kids chapters nationwide have raised over $50,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
2005 was the inaugural campaign for the Madison chapter, and we raised $3,471.01 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin. Last year in 2006 we repeated our success and raised $4,337.80 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation
Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has worked to share the power of a wish® with children around the world who have life-threatening medical conditions. Currently, more than 7 chapters serve the United States and its territories, and partner with international Make-A-Wish affiliates on 5 continents to grant wishes. To date, the Foundation has granted more than 150,000 wishes worldwide. In 1984, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin was founded to reach children throughout Wisconsin.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity. As such, all cash contributions are deductible as allowed by law, as are certain in-kind contributions.
The Kids
The children served by the Make-A-Wish Foundation are 2 1/2 years old up until their 18th birthday. All have a physician- certified life-threatening medical conditions. Children do not have to be terminally ill to qualify for a wish. The most common illnesses of wish children are leukemia, cancer and various other life-threatening illnesses.
The Wishes
Although the types of wishes the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants is an infinite variety, most wishes generally fall into four categories: to meet someone (e.g., a celebrity), to travel somewhere (e.g., a Disney theme park), to receive something (e.g., a computer), or to be someone/ something (e.g., a fire fighter for a day).
Four of ten wishes granted are to visit a Disney theme park, making it by far the most popular wish. The second most popular wish type is to receive a computer or other home electronics equipment. Taking a dream vacation or meeting a famous person are also popular.
Since 1984, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin has granted more than 2,600 wishes to children throughout Wisconsin.
Since no two wishes are alike, the cost associated with coordinating a wish varies depending upon the type and location of the wish. All expenses associated with the experience are paid for by the Foundation.
