The guys of Beard and Mustaches of St. Louis (BAMSTL) do more than just grow facial hair.
Bi-annually, the group of more than 50 use funds they raise during the year to make a donation to the USO.
Brad Jackson, owner of Roughneck Beard Co. in Maplewood, said it’s part of the 22 Project, which highlights the fact that 22 veterans commit suicide every day in this country, “which is an astounding number,” he said.
This March 22 they raised $2,840 for 288 pounds of individually-wrapped beef jerkies, bought at Sam’s Club in Maplewood. It’s for soldiers and their families passing through St. Louis — it’s what the USO said they needed the most.
Now they’re collecting gently used towels and wash cloths for Shower to the People. It’s a box truck fitted with showers that can hook up to a fire hydrant to give showers for the homeless. He said they do a charity project very month.
They group has met in Maplewood since the beginning. They currently meet at Boogaloo. They also go to competitions all over the country, including a recent bearded drag show in the Grove.
Can towel donations be made at Roughneck Beard Co?
Always great to see local businesses looking to help others. The USO does a lot of good and has provided some great hospitality over the years. It is a nice perk to be able to stop in an airport USO and helps makes the trip more enjoyable. Getting some jerky in one would be an added bonus. Jerky is expensive and there are probably more cost effective treats out there, but I would consider it a real treat. Never met a grunt that would turn it down.
Only gripe about this is the 22 stat. Suicide is a serious issue among veterans and veterans are at a much higher risk than the typical person. It deservedly needs attention. However, using questionable data (numbers like 22 per day) doesn’t help in the long run.
This is where the statistic comes from!
http://bit.ly/20Qja9J
Im well aware of where the statistic comes from. The report behind the number, which Im not sure is even linked on the website, can be found at this link: http://www.va.gov/opa/docs/suicide-data-report-2012-final.pdf
There’s more to consider here. The study itself states, “Although this was not a research-based analysis and there are significant limitations in the data that are available, as described in the report…” A good article was written by the WaPo about a year ago touching on some. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2015/02/04/the-missing-context-behind-a-widely-cited-statistic-that-there-are-22-veteran-suicides-a-day/
Duly noted! Thanks for the info!
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