SAFE'S 2013 BATTLE OF THE BEARD A BIG SUCCESS
2013 Face the Facts participants Dean Ledbetter, Armando Limon, Pat Colglazier, Nolan Belk, Tommy Livingston and Zach Adams at the campaign finale March 28th at Talia Espresso in North Wilkesboro.
Nineteen Wilkes County men took a visible stand against domestic violence by participating in 'Face the Facts,' SAFE's fourth annual "Battle of the Beards."
Participants
put their razors down Feb. 13, 2013 and didn’t shave again until the campaign ended March
28.
During the
seven week campaign, the men solicited donations for SAFE, the local agency
that serves victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. They wore “Ask Me about
My SAFE Face” buttons to spark impromptu conversations about domestic violence
and the role men can play to stop it.
‘Face the
Facts’ drew men from across the community, including high profile participants such
as Wilkesboro Mayor Mike Inscore and WKBC radio personalities Steve Handy and
Ed Racey.
Prizes were
awarded at the campaign finale Mar. 28 at Talia Espresso in North
Wilkesboro.
Mayor Inscore
won “Top Fund ‘Razor’” honors. He said his beard was itchy and aggravating at times, “but it was worth the effort.”
Armando Limon
of the Wilkes County Health Department won the “Top Friend ‘Razor’” award.
Limon gathered over 70 donations during the campaign.
Zach Adams of
Hays won the “Best Styling” award.
‘Face the Facts’ was fun, but it had a serious
purpose, organizers said.
"Domestic
violence isn’t a ‘women’s issue’. It’s everyone’s issue, and it won’t be solved
without involving everyone,” said Kristi Thomas, SAFE’s executive director. “We’re
grateful for men who bear witness that this kind of behavior is not acceptable.”
Organizers
hope the campaign will encourage other men to take a stand for healthy
relationships.
“The vast majority
of men in Wilkes County don’t condone abusive relationships, but far too many
of us have been silent. We need to speak up so the young men and boys of the
community can hear us,” SAFE community educator Tim Murphy said.
‘Face the
Facts’ is one of SAFE’s top fundraising events. So far, participants have
raised about $3,700.
