Beards For Babies

Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial Beards for Babies “ambassadors” From left: Gerber Memorial President Randy Stasik; Clark Patton, systems engineer; Terry Lennen, respiratory care services manager; Azlan Ibrahim, communications manager; and Josh Gustafson, community health director.

Gerber Memorial fundraiser invites community men to skip shavers, support babies
 
FREMONT, Mich. (October 11, 2017) – This November, growing a beard is more than a fashion statement. It’s an easy, no-effort way for men to support babies and for the entire community to give to a fundraiser benefitting Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial’s Family Birth Center.
 During the month of November, the “Beards for Babies” fundraiser encourages men to grow a beard and mustache, and ask supporters to give to their efforts as part of a friendly competition. On Nov. 29, the participants will show off their beards during a showdown at Lakes 23 Restaurant and Pub.
 Participants of the “Beards for Babies” event can sign up at give.spectrumhealth.org/beardsforbabies and use their custom page to raise funds, by sharing the link and their efforts with friends, family, coworkers and others.
 “Gerber Memorial’s Family Birth Center does phenomenal work bringing more than 500 young lives into the world every year, and ‘Beards for Babies’ is a fun way men can skip shaving for a month while supporting mothers and their children,” said Spectrum Health Foundation Gerber Memorial Director Paul Bedient. “We encourage men to give their razors a break, let their facial hair go and show off their whiskers for the community to admire on Nov. 29. At the end of the day, families and babies across Newaygo County and beyond are the ones who will benefit.”
 A panel of judges will pick the best facial hair based on the following categories:
 

• Best overall beard
• Most unique beard
• Best effort beard
• Best mustache
• Top fundraiser

 
The fundraiser will help purchase items such as: safe sleep books, safe sleep sacks, diapers and wipes, and other much-needed items. In addition, funds raised will help certify another lactation consultant for the Family Birth Center.
 
Participants will use Gerber Memorial’s TeamUp! fundraising website to raise $50 or more to earn free entry into the event and beard contest. Men wishing to sign up as participants can go to: give.spectrumhealth.org/beardsforbabies. Registration is now open.  Participants are encouraged to register now to create their own page and start sharing their efforts.
 
Those who wish to donate but not participate in the beard growing can also visit the website to make a general donation or find a participant to support.  For more information or questions, call 231-924-3681.