For the third year in a row, the Bordentown Township Police Department and the Bordentown City Police Department are teaming up to run the No Shave November fundraiser to raise money for a local resident battling cancer.
“It’s been such a great event,” Bordentown Township Chief of Police Brian Pesce said. “Our residents have shown a lot of generosity for the fundraiser. Our local businesses have been very empathetic towards each resident and helped us raise money for the cause. We have had a lot of success raising money to help our local resident in need.”
Both police departments partnered together for the event after Pesce was pitched the idea by his officers when he took over as chief in 2017.
Always looking to help local residents in need, Pesce said he and Bordentown City Police Chief Frederic Miller ran with the idea and have used the fundraiser to support children in the community who are battling a form of cancer.
Bordentown City resident Brianna Lemmo is this year’s recipient of the fundraiser, at the suggestion of Bordentown City Detective Justin Lewandowski. The 16-year-old is battling Hodgikn’s lymphoma.
Lewandowski has donated Barnes and Noble gift cards to Brianna because she is an avid reader, Pesce said.
“This was the perfect opportunity to help her,” Pesce said. “We’re always looking to touch someone locally and help that person. We want to raise as much money we can for Brianna.”
This year’s No Shave November slogan for the fundraiser is “Beards for Brianna”. All police officers participating in the fundraiser have made donations toward the cause and will grow a beard, mustache or goatee.
Female police officers are painting their fingernails any color they desire to donate and be a part of the cause.
As they have had in previous years, both police departments are partnering with a handful of restaurants in the Bordentown community to raise money for the cause.
Jimmy’s American Grill, Old Town Pub, Chickie’s & Pete’s and Mario and Franks II will be donating 10% of the proceeds they make on Nov. 24 to help Brianna battle cancer.
The event usually includes a shave-off where local barbers shave each police officer’s beard, but that will not happen this year due to COVID-19 safety guidelines, Pesce said. Instead, a video will be posted on the Bordentown Township Police Department’s social media accounts of officers getting their beards shaved.
With the event having success the past two years, Pesce hopes the fundraiser can continue to be successful this year and bring some happiness to a tough situation in these difficult times.
“We want to help Brianna and her mother as much as we can,” Pesce said.
For more information on Brianna and to donate to her cause, visit www.gofundme.com/f/1zukih6940.