The 'stache returns!

Mustaches will soon start sprouting in Long Beach again beginning on Saturday as the Mustaches for Kids crew kicks off its month-long fundraiser for Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Pediatric Cancer Center.

The event starts Saturday, Oct. 10, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Sutton Place and will continue throughout the month with weekly parties, all leading up to the annual Stache Bash at the Long Beach Hotel on Nov. 7.

Mustaches for Kids is a volunteer-run, national organization that supports children with cancer by having volunteers grow mustaches in order to generate donations for children’s charities. Now in its ninth year, the Long Beach chapter’s month-long event will begin with a “shave day” this Saturday, where participants will register for the fundraiser with cleanly shaven faces.

“It’s silly, anything based around a mustache is silly,” said organizer Billy Kupferman. “But that’s what makes it work.” Participants are given a button that reads “As me about my mustache” and a donation website is set up for them when they register. Kupferman said that the point of the mustaches is simply to be a conversation starter, and once you get someone talking about it to ask them to donate to your website.

“It’s just a really fun and kind of quirky way to do a lot of good,” he explained. “There’s no stress, you don’t have to run a marathon. You don’t have knock down anybody’s door. You let the mustache do the work and garner the attention.”

Last year over 100 growers participated in the event and the organization raised $78,000, bringing their grand total to just over $420,000 for nine years. Throughout the month, the organization will hold growth checkpoints every week at different businesses around the city: Nolan’s on Oct. 17, Das Biergarten on Oct. 24 and Shines’ Bar on Oct. 31.

Those that can’t make it to Saturday’s shave day can still register online at www.m4kli.com to get a donation website set up. “You certainly can just get in touch with us and start growing the mustache,” Kupferman said. He added that those who can’t grow a mustache can still volunteer at the organization’s checkpoints or donate raffle prizes.

The month culminates in the ’Stache Bash, a party formerly thrown every Halloween at the Inn. This year, however, the event will take place at the Long Beach Hotel and the organization is selling tickets in advance for $75. Kupferman said that the price includes dinner and an open bar.

“It really should be a great event complete with an MC, prizes and raffles,” he said. “Just a real fun, funky night.”