Sheriff's Office

For Immediate Release

Washoe County Sheriff’s Office staff raises more than $5,000 to benefit Pinocchio’s Moms on the Run during first month of “No Shave” campaign

Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam today presented a check for $5,307 to Moms on the Run Board Member Jillian Pinocchio. Today’s donation is the first to be given during the Sheriff’s Office fifth annual “No Shave” campaign.

“For four months – from October through January – everyone in the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office helps us fundraise for various charities within our community,” said Sheriff Balaam. “These completely voluntary fundraising campaigns are our way to give something small back to organizations who support so many members of our community.”

In exchange for a monthly charitable donation, Sheriff Balaam has authorized male deputies to grow facial hair outside standard grooming policy. Female deputies are authorized to have relaxed hair standards. Civilians may either take advantage of the relaxed grooming standards, or wear jeans, hats, sports jerseys, and/or attire which supports branches of the United States Armed Forces. 

“Moms on the Run has done incredible work for nearly 5,500 women in Northern Nevada,” Balaam continued. “Things such as helping with living expenses, securing wigs for chemotherapy patients, offering meal prep services, and conducting support groups. This year, the Sheriff’s Office chose Moms on the Run for our October donation drive because their annual, flagship Moms on the Run Mother’s Day 5k/10k event was sidelined due to COVID-19. 

“The Sheriff’s Office family is honored to do something to support women battling breast cancer in our community, and we are pleased that Pinocchio’s Moms on the Run has provided us a wonderful way in which to do that.”

The Sheriff’s Office has chosen a different recipient for each month. Organizations chosen for the remainder of this year’s campaign are:

November:  Renown Men’s Health Center (Movember)
December:   The Eddy House
January:       Various community charities TBD

BACKGROUND:

Since the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office No Shave Campaign began in 2016, staff has donated $98,000 to a variety of community non-profits, including Susan G. Komen, Renown Men’s Health Center, Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation, Awaken Reno, Nevada Cancer Coalition, Northern Nevada COPS (Concerns of Police Survivors), Special Olympics Northern Nevada, the Brittany Hartzell Baguley Memorial Scholarship Fund, and HOPES.

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.

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