The Tampa Bay Lightning are participating in an annual tradition surrounding the NHL’s Stanley Cup Playoffs known as the Beard-a-Thon® to raise money for Tampa’s Moffitt Cancer Center and are encouraging Lightning fans to join them in the campaign.
In celebration of the great tradition of the “playoff beard,” when players don’t shave until their run at the championship ends (and the Lightning, of course, were still in it at our press time, despite losing to the Detroit Red Wings in Game 1 of the opening round playoff series as we went to press with this issue), the Beard-a-Thon was launched in 2009. Since then, more than $3 million has been raised for participating NHL team charities.
From helping less fortunate children, to fighting cancer, to bringing together communities, the Beard-a-Thon allows fans to put their “best face forward” for a good cause. As fans pledge to grow playoff beards during the duration of their team’s run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Beard-a-Thon continues to grow, as well. Funds raised throughout the duration will benefit prostate cancer research at the Moffitt Cancer Center. Players who will be profiled from the Lightning include Ryan Callahan, Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat and more. The team’s mascot ThunderBug also will be participating.
Not able to grow a beard? You can still create your own donation page utilizing online “virtual grower” features. The top local fund raiser wins a Grand Prize of a Steven Stamkos autographed jersey plus four tickets to a 2015-16 regular season Lightning home game. Those who raise $100 before April 22 will be entered to win other autographed memorabilia, such as a Ryan Callahan-signed stick, a Victor Hedman-signed puck and more.
You can support the Lightning & Moffitt by donating to the team, player & mascot pages or on your own page at Beardathon.com.
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