Cpl. Laura Kohls, of the Guadalupe County Sheriff's Office, shows off her pink nail polish while Sgt. Donnie White sports his new fall look with his beard – all part of this year’s No Shave November fundraising effort. The pink nail polish is the newest addition to the program giving female employees at the sheriff’s office the opportunity to also donate to a good cause.
(Seguin) — If you’ve ever wanted to see Guadalupe County Sheriff Arnold Zwicke with a beard, then your moment is soon to come. Sheriff Zwicke is the latest participant and most surprising twist in this year’s No Shave November fundraiser at the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office.
For the last several years, deputies and those in the Guadalupe County Jail have forked over a monthly donation to the Guadalupe Regional Medical Foundation Cancer Assistance Fund for the opportunity to sport a mustache or beard during the months of October and November.
It’s been clear since the very beginning that Zwicke wasn’t necessarily a fan of his deputies sporting a beard while in uniform. But over the years and especially after last year’s contribution of $5,200 to the foundation, Zwicke says he just knew it was time for him to also put the razor down. Plus, he felt that a new hairy look could also come in handy during his own support of local nursing home residents each December.
“I’m going to grow a full beard. I guess it happened because the award I was given last year when Eddie Miller had that plaque made thanking me for not growing a beard. I took that as a friendly challenge so we are going to give it a try and then if I’m successful at growing this beard then I will use this beard when we do the Sheriff Santa Program at the rest home instead of the fake beard,” said Zwicke.
As for his future new look, Zwicke says people have already begun taking notice of his new hairy threads.
“I was at the chamber mixer and people were looking and I said ‘It’s No Shave November, we are gearing up in October,” laughed Zwicke.
Sgt. Donnie White, who works to coordinate the annual fundraiser, says having Zwicke on board this year makes the effort that much more exciting.
“He doesn’t like facial hair in uniform so to get him involved was just man, I don’t even know how to say it really — just a huge accomplishment just to know that he supports us and supports this a lot,” said White.
Sheriff Zwicke, however, isn’t the only one getting in on the action to raise money. The women of the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office will also be taking part in this year’s effort.The incentive for them will be to pay up for the opportunity to sport pink fingernails while in uniform. Coming up with the idea and pitching it to her superiors was Cpl. Laura Kohls. Kohls says the pink nail polish was not only easy but something that the women could appreciate when serving and protecting in their brown uniforms.
“So, while we are in uniform, we are not allowed to have any bright colors. Everything we wear, make-up and nails has to be conservative. It has to be like light colors or no nail polish at all so it’s something special for us to wear pink because it’s not allowed per policy. This is something different for us,” said Kohls.
White says he really appreciates how the fundraising effort is growing with the addition of the pink nails and is proud that his colleagues are all coming together to help others.
“I’m behind it 100 percent. I don’t know why I didn’t think about it sooner but I think it’s a good idea,” said White.
Those growing mustaches pay $25 a month while beards are $50 per month. The cost to wear pink nail polish is also $25 a month. Last year, the fundraiser was extended into the month of December. All those contributing in December will have their funds go to support the annual Santa Sheriff Program which again helps to deliver Christmas gifts to every nursing home resident in Guadalupe County.The program will culminate with an awards ceremony naming both the ugliest and best mustaches, goatees and beards in the competition.
Those wishing to support a specific deputy or who would like to support the campaign directly are asked to contact the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office at 830-379-1224.