The “Movember” fundraiser hosted at Wakefield High School aims to raise funds and awareness for the people of Western North Carolina impacted by hurricane Helene throughout the month of November. 

The “Movember” fundraiser originates from a global effort aimed to raise funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically mental health, prostate cancer and testicular cancer. During the month of November, participants grow out their facial hair, specifically mustaches, to show solidarity for the cause. However, Wakefield faculty have organized efforts to raise funds for a different cause: Western N.C. residents impacted by Hurricane Helene. 

Danny Inscoe is a Wakefield High School Physical Education teacher who understands the hurricane victims’ needs. He spearheaded the concept for the local Wakefield “Movember” fundraiser.

“My wife did the sock donations during homecoming,” Inscoe said. “Once we took that there, I wanted to try to drum up more funds for them. I thought that this would be a cool thing to do.”

Many volunteer-based efforts have been launched to aid those in need in the Appalachian region following Hurricane Helene’s destruction. Many of these efforts require that the volunteers be on site to have the highest impact. Kyle Shields is a CTE teacher at Wakefield High School. Like many others, he wants to make a positive impact on the situation.

“I think a lot of us here have really busy schedules, so we’re not usually the people that can get out there to do anything,” Shields said. “I would love to be able to do that, but my schedule and the stuff that I have to take care of here just hasn’t permitted it. If the hardest thing that I can do is look like this for a month, [participating] was a pretty easy choice.”

Donors can visit the Woolly Wolverine Challenge website to raise money for the event. Upon entering the domain, donors can follow the provided directions to sponsor a participant in donation increments of $5. 

All proceeds from this event will go to BeLoved Asheville, an organization dedicated to providing aid for the people of the Western N.C. region. The non-profit, nongovernmental organization pulls assets to provide necessary resources, shelter, equity and opportunity for the local community in and around the Asheville area.

The money will be used to aid the Asheville area in the post-disaster recovery period. Like many people, Peyton Thomas is eager to make a difference for the hurricane victims.

“[The fundraiser aims] to help as many people as we can,” Thomas said. “[We want] to get money donated for them so that their transition will be a little bit easier. It’s going to be hard no matter what, but hopefully we can raise enough money to at least help someone out.”

To spread the word, participants have been getting creative in their approaches. James Popek is a social studies teacher at Wakefield High School. He and other participating faculty members have been working to spread awareness for the community-wide event.

“In a couple of my classes, we’ve gone over the history of the mustache, which was pretty interesting,” Popek said. “I make sure to pull up the QR code and go over that with [my students].”

While the participants are happy to raise awareness and funds for hurricane relief, they are also looking forward to celebrating the end of “Movember.”

“My wife and I will celebrate with me shaving it off,” Inscoe said. “I may get a kiss from my wife after a month.”