#NoShaveMontpelier raises $4,335 for student lunches

“We’re very humbled by the amount of people who donated ... it’s awesome,” McGee said.

The fundraiser was suggested by Patrolman Randy Mills and McGee agreed to waive the Montpelier PD’s normal “clean-shaven” policy for November. #NoShaveMontpelier was modeled on the national No-Shave November movement, during which participants forgo shaving and grooming in order to evoke conversation and raise awareness about an issue (generally health-related. See www.no-shave.org).

McGee said in addition to the pledges, additional financial donations were received from those who lived both inside and outside of Williams County.

#NoShaveMontpelier raised funds to help pay off past due student lunch bills, and to help pay for lunches for those students who the schools have identified as needing help, McGee said.

In addition, the fundraiser is about raising awareness among students, parents and guardians in the district that help is available at Montpelier Schools so that a child in need can receive assistance for lunch without fear of embarrassment.

“A lot of people told us they donated because they were that kid in school who (couldn’t afford school lunch),” McGee said during a 12-minute Facebook Live address at Cookies on Demand in downtown Montpelier.

Any unused funds from the school will be donated to the Montpelier Parks and Recreation Department for its summer lunch program, which is privately funded through donations from the community.

McGee on Tuesday was joined by Becky Freese, owner of the Montpelier’s popular Cookies on Demand eatery downtown, who drew a name — Rick Eckler — from a basket full of names of those who donated to the fundraiser.

Eckler wins a dozen cookies a month for a year from Cookies on Demand.

Also, those viewing the video are invited to pick the best beard of the nine Montpelier officers who participated in #NoShaveMontpelier. To make a pick, go to the comments section of the video and choose the letter that corresponds to the officer.

To see the video, log on to: www.facebook.com/MontpelierPD/videos.

The winner will be announced at noon Friday, and wins a $100 gift card from Miller’s New Market, and $25 gift cards to Circle K and to Wyse Guys Pizza.

To learn more about how to enroll a child in the free school lunch program at Montpelier Schools, call curriculum coordinator Mike Bumb at the school at 419-485-6700.

Bumb said eligibility is income-based and he encouraged parents to contact him as the process takes about five minutes and includes filling out a single form with income, Social Security number and employer. And once a child is approved, they will not be singled out in any way and can access lunch the same as anyone else, Bumb added.