The Hartselle Police Department raised $3,070 with a No Shave November fundraiser for the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation.

This was the second year for the HPD to participate in a No Shave November fundraiser. Last year’s fundraiser benefitted Crisis Services of North Alabama and collected $2,065.50.

Sgt. Kel Roberts was the one to suggest the fundraiser benefit the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation this year. His 3-year-old daughter Reagan was born with hydrocephalus. She has already had three brain surgeries and has a shunt in place.

Each participating officer was allowed to waive the no-facial-hair policy if they raised at least $100 for the organization. Eleven officers competed to see who could earn the most money and who could grow the best beard.

The grand prize was a 12-gauge HNR Pardner pump shotgun supplied by Hartselle’s Walmart.

Roberts was the overall winner with $1,210 worth of donations. He is deferring his prize to the next competitor Ofc. Chip Reynolds, who was second with $455. Ofc. Michael Holiday was third with $250.

Roberts said he and his wife were overjoyed about the amount the department raised.

“I am just extremely excited, tickled really, that we met our goal of $3,000,” Roberts said. “We knew that this goal was a little high compared to last year, especially since we had less officers participating this year, but it really shows how everyone pulled together and did their part.”

Roberts said he was very proud of the participation of his fellow officers.

“The funds they were able to raise shows a lot about this department,” Roberts said. “I’m really proud to be a part of this department. They are really a great group of people.”

Roberts’ wife Danielle accepted the check from the HPD on behalf of the Alabama chapter of the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation Tuesday.

Roberts and his family were very glad to be able to spread hydrocephalus awareness to their community.

“It’s not even about the money to us,” Roberts said. “We are so thankful for the generous donations from businesses and individuals from the community, but we are also thankful that everyone is helping us spread the word. Our community now knows more about hydrocephalus, and that knowledge is helpful. It really means a lot to our family but also to hydrocephalus research and technology to put towards a cure.”

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The Hartselle Police Department has opted to waive their no-facial-hair policy for a good cause for the second year in a row.

Several officers are electing to participate in No Shave November to raise money for the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation. This non-profit organization was chosen by the police force because Sgt. Kel Roberts has a daughter with hydrocephalus, and he and his wife Danielle helped charter an Alabama chapter of the PHF.

Reagan Roberts, 3, has a condition that causes cerebrospinal fluid to collect around the brain and spinal cord, which was once known as “water on the brain.” The most prevalent treatment for this irreversible condition is a shunt that drains the fluid from the brain into another part of the body, usually the abdomen. Reagan has already had three brain surgeries and a shunt.

Roberts said there is little funding for research on this condition that affects about one in every 500 births.

“There’s not a lot out there to treat or learn about hydrocephalus,” Roberts said. “It only gets a small portion of government funding for research, which is a tiny amount compared to other, less prevalent conditions. While research for all conditions is great, we wanted to do what we could to promote hydrocephalus.”

The Roberts family looked for a way to raise money and spread the word about the cause. Danielle is now the Chairman of the Alabama chapter of the PHF, and he is the Co-Chair. Roberts suggested the police department use their annual fundraiser to benefit the condition.

“Our chief lets us break the facial hair policy in November if each officer in the competition raises $100,” Roberts said. “Each officer collects money, and we have a website to keep up with who is involved and how much has been raised. We accept cash or checks made out to the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation. People can specify which officer they want to support or just let the officers split it equally.”

Donations can be made to their website active.com/donate/phfshave until Nov. 30. Visitors can also see who has donated, how much money each officer has raised and the total amount raised. The officers are competing for special individual awards including The Highest Earning Beard Award, The Ultimate Beardster Award, The Grayest Beard Award and The Baby Face Beard Award.

The 10 participating officers have raised $1,175 so far.

Roberts said he is excited for the police force to be able to help fund hydrocephalus research.

“We thought this fundraiser would really make it a local effort that would mean a lot to us,” Roberts said. “I’m very proud to be a part of this and we hope we can continue to do our part no matter how small it might seem. I know most people know someone with hydrocephalus, but they don’t know what it’s all about. Maybe our funds can help educate and touch the lives of people and families living with hydrocephalus.”

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