All through November, we prepared our game plans so we’d be ready to take on the season. But we’re not talking about the holiday season and the subsequent ecommerce boom. We’re talking about the time of year where men worldwide use the month of November to grow grotesque facial hair. From handlebar mustaches to scraggly beards — and everything in between — this is a month that celebrates itchy whiskers. Some of us here at TrendyMinds decided to join in on the facial hair fun. Sure, we joined in because it’s always intriguing to watch that one clean-shaven coworker struggle with patchy growth and an uncomfortable neck beard. More importantly, though, we joined because this effort was bigger than simply not shaving. It was about a commitment to raise funds and awareness for men’s cancer issues and cancer prevention as a whole. The No Shave November non-profit organization is celebrating 10 years of raising awareness and funds to support cancer research, prevention, and education. According to the World Health Organization, 22,000 people die from cancer worldwide, and there’s a chance you know someone who has been affected by this tragic and cruel disease. Our team of eight brave, bearded men held the torch for our company, committing to raise funds for the cause. Everyone here at TrendyMinds got behind the effort, and we’re happy to share that we’ve far surpassed our initial goal of raising $250. We hit $1,000. While it’s not a staggering amount, we believe that every little bit helps. This donation will go toward three programs: Prevent Cancer Foundation, Fight Colorectal Cancer, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. We’ve had fun donning and documenting our beards and ridiculous facial hair exploits, but we wanted to take a moment to share the real WHY behind the effort. It’s part of our company’s culture, one that is rooted in a commitment to service and giving back to our community and beyond.