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While many may be familiar with the “No Shave November” movement that sees participants all over the country skip shaving for a month to raise awareness and money for cancer and men’s health, First Street Alehouse in Livermore has been hosting its own beard growing contest for a cause that extends through next week.
The restaurant is raising money for Rooms of Hope, a San Ramon-based nonprofit that creates dream room makeovers for children battling life-threatening illnesses, according to the contest webpage.
Specifically, the contest is seeking to bring an 18-year-old named Josy’s dream bedroom to life.
On Feb. 10, the teen was diagnosed with chondroblastic osteosarcoma — an aggressive bone cancer in her mouth. Since then, she has endured several rounds of chemotherapy, a major surgery removing her upper jaw, eye socket and part of her skull, followed by reconstruction using her own bone and skin grafts, according to the contest webpage.
Radiation and more chemo still lie ahead for her, along with future reconstructive surgeries. Through Rooms of Hope, supporters are seeking to help give Josy and her siblings the healing spaces they deserve.
“Josy is a warrior. She’s got a huge battle in front of her but she is optimistic,” said First Street Alehouse owner Brook Witherspoon in a social media video from LPD promoting the contest and the teen’s story. “She has aspirations of being a nurse and going and helping children fight illnesses just like what she’s battling right now.”
The beard growing contest kicked off on Nov. 1 and runs through next Wednesday (Dec. 17). More than 60 people, including some Livermore police officers and City Councilmember Evan Branning, are growing beards and raising funds for Josy’s dream room makeover.
“Everyone deserves a safe and welcoming place, especially when recovering from serious illness,” Branning told Livermore Vine. “I’m glad I can help raise some funds and awareness for children with life changing diseases,” he added.
While this year’s contest has gained a lot of traction, the alehouse has done the beard growing contest for the past 18 years, starting as a way to support a customer’s sick child grant their wish at the time.
“We love supporting community and the alehouse gives us a platform to be able to give back,” Witherspoon said in the promotional video.
Over the course of the contest, the restaurant has hosted special events to help fundraise and increase awareness, including on Giving Tuesday when a portion of sales that day was donated to Rooms of Hope.
Another fundraising event for the contest — dubbed “Beards and Brews” — at 3 Steves Winery featuring their wines, food from the alehouse and beer from Altamont Beer Works is set for this Friday (Dec. 12) at 6 p.m. The event also includes live entertainment and live and silent auction items. Tickets and more information is available at roomsofhope.org.
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