Beard-A-Thon raises over $200,000 in four days

EAST AURORA, N.Y. -- Hockey fans across North American have come together this playoff season to raise over $200,000 in just 4 days for charity. The 4th Annual Beard-A-Thon®, proudly presented by Just For Men, encourages hockey enthusiasts to grow their own playoff beards for the 2012 Stanley Cup® Playoffs or pledge their favorite NHL players. In addition to participating in a great hockey tradition, beard growers are raising money for charities across the nation.

The program has already raised over $200,000 early in the playoff season in just 4 days. In the past three seasons, over 25,000 fans have participated in the Beard-A-Thon® program raising over $1,100,000 for charity. This season, the goal is to raise an additional $1 million dollars for NHL team charities.

Currently, fans of the New York Rangers lead the way, raising over $53,0000 for the Garden of Dreams Foundation. Fans of the Pittsburgh Penguins, St. Louis Blues, and Boston Bruins have all raised over $20,000 for local charities.

By receiving pledges, participants promise not to shave until their team wins the Stanley Cup® or is eliminated from the playoffs.

Fans that are unwilling or unable, to grow playoffs beards can also pledge their favorite player, local celebrities, or build their own beard with the "Build-a-Beard" web application.

"The intensity, both on and off the ice, goes to a whole new level in the playoffs. The Beard-A-Thon gives fans a chance show their passion and raise money for charity," stated John Cimperman, the Principal of Cenergy, a New York based sports marketing agency that manages the program.

Last season, the Stanley Cup® Champion Boston Bruins led all NHL clubs by raising over $75,000 for the Boston Bruins Foundation. The Bruins Foundation Director of Development, Bob Sweeney, raised $9,835 with his playoff beard followed closely by Los Angeles Kings broadcaster, Jim Fox, who raised $7,615.

For more information on Beard-A-Thon, to make a donation or to get involved, simply log onto www.beardathon.com. All donations to Beard-A-Thon are tax deductible.