Some of the male members of York’s Security Services may look a little hairier this month, that’s because Security Supervisor Paul Benoit and his team are raising money for Movember and men’s health.
Some 19 team members shaved their faces ready to grow moustaches for the next 30 days. “I 
anticipate we will see a wide variety of mustaches and uniquely creative creations of facial hair,” says Beniot of York’s Campus Services & Business Operations and captain of the Security Services Movember team.
A clean shaven Paul Benoit at the start of the Movember campaign
As the Movember and Sons Canada website says, “For the rest of the month, these selfless and generous men, known as Mo Bros, groom, trim and wax their way into the annals of fine moustachery. Supported by the women in their lives, Mo Sistas, Movember Mo Bros raise funds by seeking out sponsorship for their Mo-growing efforts.”
Beniot has set up a website to collect donations and keep the community informed. “My decision to assemble a team and initiate a campaign to raise money for prostate cancer was simple. My team and I aim to promote awareness of men's health programs and provide support for individuals and their families that are or have been affected by cancer or other serious illnesses,” he says.
“In addition, I wanted to provide our department with the opportunity to get involved in a really great cause and connect with the Y
ork community on a more personal and profound level. By participating in this small way, our hope is to be a part of making a big difference.
This is what some of York's Security Services employees may look like in a few weeks
Although Security Services participated in Movember fundraising previously, this year’s effort is much larger in scale with a goal of raising $2,000 for the cause. “This year our hope is to raise even more awareness and money for this great cause by gaining the support from the York community. I am optimistic we can achieve our goal because I have a really great and dedicated team behind me,” says Benoit, adding, “My hope is that this fundraiser will mark the beginning of many successful events that York Security wishes to participate in.”
From left, a few other styles, the horseshoe, Imperial and chevron, that may be seen around campus this month
Last year, the global Movember campaign raised more than $125 million, some $48 million more than the previous year. Close to 90 per cent of all funds raised goes toward supporting men’s health programs and issues, prostate cancer, as well as male mental health initiatives. In Canada, some 77 per cent of money raised went to Prostate Cancer Canada – Movember’s men’s health partner – another 8.6 per cent to Movember’s Global Action Plan, set up to address critical challenges in prostate cancer research through global collaboration, and 3.3 per cent went to Movember’s awareness and education programs. This year, funds will also be diverted to the Canadian Male Health Network.
To join Benoit’s team or to donate, click here.
As the month of Movember progresses, pictures of how the participants various moustaches are coming along can be viewed here.