FREEHOLD — The members of Freehold Borough PBA Local 159 are raising funds to support a healthcare facility that has done so much to help care for one of their own.
As part of the fundraising campaign, residents may notice something very different about the borough’s police officers in November — the appearance of facial hair.
The officers’ decision to give up shaving for a month is part of a campaign to raise funds for prostate cancer research. The funds will be donated to the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick.
The PBA was inspired by national and global campaigns in November for men to grow facial hair to raise money and awareness of men’s health issues. The campaigns go by names such as MOvember and No- Shave November.
Sgt. Ronnie Steppat approached Police Chief Glenn Roberts with a proposal to allow the officers to grow facial hair and to donate money to the facility where Freehold Borough Patrolman Brian Ruegger, 42, was treated for prostate cancer in August.
Steppat said Roberts “was all for the idea.”
Ruegger said he now “feels great.” He said there is a history of prostate cancer in his family and that led him to be tested early for the disease.
Steppat said, “It’s all about getting the word out and bringing about an awareness of prostate cancer and getting tested when it’s time. Brian got tested, and that is why we are all sitting here together now. Early detection is the key to a successful recovery.
“Brian did that, and now he is in full recovery. This has personally touched our Freehold Borough family, and we are trying to pay it forward to those who cared for one of our own.”
Roberts said he agreed to suspend the Police Department’s rules regarding facial hair until Nov. 30 after the PBA made the request to raise funds to support prostate cancer research.
The chief thanked Mayor Nolan Higgins and the Borough Council for supporting the Police Department in its effort.
Donations by check may be sent directly to the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, 195 Little Albany St., New Brunswick, NJ 08903. Donors should write PBA No. 159 on the memo line.
Anyone wishing to donate online may visit http://cinjfoundation.donordrive.com/ index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.personalCampaign& participantID=4710.
— Clare Marie Celano