November just ended, but highlighting some of fall’s best features is always welcome; hot coffee, warm sweaters and for some, an opportunity to finally grow the beard of their dreams while supporting a good cause. According to the event’s official website, www.no-shave.org, the ultimate aim of No-Shave November is “to grow awareness by embracing our hair, which many cancer patients lose, and letting it grow wild and free.” The site encourages participants to “Donate the money you usually spend on shaving and grooming for a month to educate about cancer prevention, save lives, and aid those fighting the battle.”

For pretty much any guy, growing a beard is easy. Just believe in the power of your follicles, set the razor aside, and let it grow; resign yourself to a state of constant scruffiness for one month while simultaneously bringing some much-needed awareness to those who suffer from prostate cancer. You don’t even need to grow a beard to participate in No-Shave November; participation is easy for women and men alike—in fact, it actually requires more effort not to participate.

Many of EvCC’s own students are taking part this year; here’s what a few had to say about their beautiful beards (in precisely three words) and about No-Shave November.

Ben Duschene believes that his beard is “full, curly,” and “enabling”. He thinks that beards are cool because “a beard changes the way you look, so I like No-Shave November because a lot of men who aren’t shaving start to look older, and potentially wiser.”

Michael Howard summed up his beard in lumberjack terms—“Wild. Grizzly. Untamed.” He likes No-Shave November because it “gives me an excuse not to shave, and it’s a really interesting way to raise awareness.” He adds, “This is my 4th year doing No-Shave.”

Nathan Woldstad described his beard as “totally frickin’ awesome”. He says about No-Shave November, “It’s a great excuse not to shave while raising awareness.”

Alex Mitchell’s fabulous follicles are, to him, “Robust; long; fluffy.” He says, “I did No-Shave November for 2 years, last year and the year before. I know that there’s a lot of charitable societies that spread their word through No-Shave. It gives people kind of a springboard to talk about it.”

For one month of the year, anything goes—just remember to keep spreading the word if someone asks about your lovely locks. There’s no harm in trying No-Shave November at least once—it’s for a good cause, it only lasts a month, and who knows? It just might grow on you.