The Bordentown Township and Bordentown City police departments are teaming up this month to help out a local youth.
In an effort to raise funds for seven-year-old Melvin Bertchie, a first-grade student at Clara Barton Elementary School who was diagnosed with leukemia, the township and city police departments relaxed their clean-shaven policies and will be participating in “No Shave November” for Melvin.
Melvin is currently undergoing treatment for his leukemia diagnosis, so the Bordentown police departments are growing “Mustaches for Melvin.” Participating officers said they will make donations to grow a full beard, mustache or goatee and female officers will make a donation to paint their fingernails any color they desire.
Officers are also encouraged to seek donations from family and friends. Police officials said all proceeds will go directly to the Bertchie family to help with medical and travel expenses.
The month-long initiative will also culminate with a shave-off event at 6 p.m. on Nov. 26 at Jimmy’s American Grill, in which 10% of the restaurant’s proceeds will be donated to the Bertchie family.
To make a charitable donation, make a check payable to “BTOCF” and mail to: 272 Dunns Mill Rd., P.O. Box 162, Bordentown NJ 08505. In the memo section, please mark the check: “Mustaches for Melvin.”