On Monday, Feb. 28, Chief Costa and members of the Somerset Police Department presented a check in the amount of $22,709 to Chief Mike Weir (Ret.) of Cops for Kids with Cancer. (Photo courtesy Somerset Police Department) 
Somerset Police Chief Todd Costa (left) and Sgt. DaRosa participated in the department’s “Cop’s with Beards, for Kids with Cancer” fundraiser. (Photo courtesy Somerset Police Department) 
Officers William Goodale and David Labreche grew out their beards in support of the Somerset Police Department’s “Cop’s with Beards, for Kids with Cancer” fundraiser. (Photo courtesy Somerset Police Department) 
Sgt. Matthew Lima participated in the department’s “Cop’s with Beards, for Kids with Cancer” fundraiser. (Photo courtesy Somerset Police Department)
SOMERSET — Chief Todd Costa is pleased to announce that the Somerset Police Department has donated over $20,000 to the Cops for Kids with Cancer organization yesterday.
On Monday, Feb. 28, Chief Costa and members of the Somerset Police Department presented a check in the amount of $22,709 to Chief Mike Weir (Ret.), a director from the Cops for Kids with Cancer organization, at the Somerset police station.
The funds donated to Cops for Kids with Cancer by the Somerset Police Department will be allocated by the organization to people directly involved in the care of children with cancer. The donation will support numerous families with each family receiving around $5,000.
“I would like to thank all of the members of the Somerset Police Department and the Somerset community who helped support our efforts in raising money for the Cops for Kids with Cancer organization,” Chief Costa said. “Thanks to all those who generously donated, we were able to present the organization with over $20,000 in funds to be allocated to the families of children who are bravely fighting childhood cancer. I’d also like to recognize and thank Somerset Police Sgt. Adam DaRosa for organizing and coordinating our fundraising efforts.”
The Somerset Police Department, under the guidance of Sgt. DaRosa, raised money for Cops for Kids with Cancer through the department’s “Cop’s with Beards, for Kids with Cancer” fundraiser. The fundraiser, which initially corresponded with the No Shave November initiative, gave officers who wished to be exempt from the department’s grooming standards which prohibit beards the opportunity to grow out their beards in lieu of a minimum donation of $200.
Officers wishing to partake in the fundraiser were encouraged to collect sponsorships from friends, family and local businesses to help raise money for their donations. As a result of the community’s generosity, the department was able to raise a substantial amount of money.
In total, 22 Somerset Police Officers grew out their beards in support of the cause.
The fundraiser, which was extended for several months due to its popularity, officially ended yesterday, Feb. 28, with it being the last day of officers being allowed to grow their beards out.
For more information on Cops for Kids with Cancer, click here.
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