No Kidding - West Pierce To Hold Mustache Shaving Party On Friday

If the boys over at have seemed a tad more manly as of late, don't worry. It hasn't been a hairy illusion.

Despite the likely grumbles of their spouses and girlfriends, more than 30 firefighters for the agency that serves University Place and Lakewood have been growing their mustaches over the last month.

And while no man ever really needs a reason to develop a sufficient 'stache, the West Pierce crew is doing it for a good reason. With this month being Men's Health Awareness Month - dubbed "Movember" - the firefighters decided to grow their mustaches to raise money.

Firefighters, in particular, are more likely to develop testicular cancer, prostate cancer and other conditions due to the physical rigors and danger of their jobs.

Firefighter Chris Pfaff is leading “Team West Pierce” and raising donations for research through the official website (www.movember.com). Currently, the team has raised about $1,500.

Pfaff is also spearheading a Movember Shaving Party at 9 a.m. Friday at Station 21, located at 5000 Steilacoom Boulevard S.W. in Lakewood, where the mustaches will be shaved.

In October, West Pierce Fire & Rescue wore pink duty shirts during the last week of the month in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Firefighter Lynda Henderson led the project of designing and ordering the shirts for all employees and plans to do it again next year. 

"This is just a small way for us to give back," said Chief Ken Sharp. "These are serious illnesses that have affected the lives of so many and the least we can do is show our support. If it means we all wear pink and some grow mustaches, so be it. It’s actually been a lot of fun to break from the norm.”

So whether the mustache masterpieces involve handlebars, goatees or Fu Manchu's, they will all be coming off come Friday.