Boys and Girls Club of Alpena raises $11K with facial hair
ALPENA, Mich. — The Boys and Girls Club of Alpena found a very interesting way to fundraise for their capital campaign with the help of one local business owner and some facial hair.
Eric Peterson, owner of Downtown Alpena’s Fresh Palate restaurant, recently launched a unique fundraiser to support the Boys and Girls Club of Alpena Open New Doors Capital Campaign. Peterson issued a challenge to Brad Somers, Club Executive Director, to see who could raise the most funds for their beard.
“I was going to shave my beard off one day,” Peterson said. “Then I decided, ‘Maybe I could raise some money for the Boys and Girls Club with this.’ So I decided not to shave my beard and then challenged Brad to a beard off.”
And so- a beard off commenced. Peterson went under the razor earlier this year in a virtual shaving event, and Somers had his beard shaved tonight at 5 p.m.
“My initial reaction is I don’t want to lose my beard,” Somers said. “I walk into my house and my kids won’t know who I am. I pretty much have this with me 24/7 for the last 12 years.”
Peterson then challenged Alpena resident Jack Davison to the beard-off as well. Davison raised $5,000 for his beard, but he decided not to shave. All together, the three beards were able to bring $11,000 for the Boys and Girls Club’s capital campaign- Open New Doors.
“What we’re trying to build for these kids- this beautiful facility that is going to be incredibly safe, incredibly structured,” Boys and Girls Club Board Member Robin Lalonde said. “They are going to get so much more opportunity that we can provide for them.”
The funding goes toward the Open New Doors campaign and the transformation of the former Catholic Central High School into a new Boys and Girls Club building. When asked who won the beard off- Lalonde, Somers, and Peterson agreed the kids were the real winners.
To contribute to the Boys and Girls Club campaign, individuals or businesses interested can contact Lalonde at robin.l.lalonde@medtronic.com.
