Over the past 20 years, a simple but unusual-sounding concept — “grow a mustache for a month” — has led to more than $1 million donated to the MSK Kids program at Memorial Sloan Kettering hospital, which specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer, immune deficiencies and blood disorders in children, teens and young adults.
The Long Island chapter of the nationwide, all-volunteer Mustaches For Kids organization has done exactly that. Through annual fundraising events, including “Shave Day” that took place at Bright Eye Beer Co. last Saturday, the Long Beach-based chapter has collected over $1 million dollars since it began in 2007. The funds are primarily used to help cover non-medical costs for families of children diagnosed with cancer.
“It could be hotel stays for parents or flights for parents,” said Lido Beach resident Leo Stanger, 26, the current organizer of the Mustaches For Kids Long Island chapter. “Last year, for example, the money actually went to virtual reality headsets for kids.
Saturday’s Shave Day was the kick-off event of this year’s fundraising season, which will culminate with “Stache Bash,” the organization’s Halloween-themed costume party, on Oct. 23. Shave Day netted several thousand dollars from dozens of attendees, bringing the group closer to its $20,000 goal for the season, which would surpass the $15,000 collected during last year’s drive.
“It’s pretty amazing to see so many people come together for such a great cause. Many of whom we had never even met before,” Stanger said, describing the annual Stache Bash. “By the end of the night everyone feels like they’re part of something together. That combination of having fun, bringing people together and helping kids is really what makes it so special.”
Some volunteers are helping to spread the mustache message in their own way. James Wilson, 25, attends Hofstra University in Hempstead and has participated in Mustaches For Kids events for the past two years. He plans to run the Philadelphia Marathon this November as another opportunity. “I want to be able to take it in a new direction,” Wilson said, “and bring more eyes to it.”
In 2007, Long Beach residents and area teachers James Bogdan, Billy Kupferman and Vinny Leis joined with Long Beach firefighter Justin Fitzmartin to create the Long Island chapter. In 2024, they turned the reins over to Stanger, who has been involved with the volunteer group since it began, being featured in the organization’s promotional materials at age 7.
