Al Douglas willing to give up iconic beard to help food banks

Al Douglas has put two years into a prolific beard, but he's about to have it shaved off to help Island food banks.

"Food is the great equalizer, everybody needs it no matter who you are. And it's just part of that Island hospitality, everybody just wants everybody to be fed," he said of his efforts to help the hungry this month.

'Food is the great equalizer, everybody needs it no matter who you are- Al Douglas

Douglas has a knack for social engagement in promoting bands and brands. Now he's created a campaign around his own whiskers called The Beard Gives Back.

"The thing I think about with the food bank is my mom would have this garden every summer. And whether she planned to or not there was always so much food that came out of it," explained Douglas.

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That extra food wasn't wasted. She and her son would load up the car and bring the fresh food to the food bank.

"When you're hungry you can't focus on anything else," added Douglas.

A close shave for one donor

Douglas has leaned hard on his employers at the Murphy Group of Restaurants and the Cavendish Beach Music Festival along with many other local businesses to come up with a prize package worth over $3,000. Every $25 dollar donation gives you a ticket for the draw.

And, for the biggestfish Douglas can reel in there's a bonus.

"The highest donor for the whole thing gets to actually take the electric clippers to the beardand do the honours."

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All proceeds from the campaign will go to help the Upper Room food bank. This year, as it does annually, the Upper Room works with a number of Island charities and CBC P.E.I.'s Feed a Family campaign to be sure no family goes without a food hamper of the holidays.

Douglas knows helping is the right thing to do, but it's been a while seen he's been clean shaven.

"I've never had a bare face in the winter-time. So it's going to be cold and people aren't going to know who I am," Douglas said with a laugh.

There's little question the beard is history. Douglas hit his$5,000 goal and hopesIslanders will double itby Dec. 28.

At least he'll still have the tats, snapbacks, and plaid shirts at the end of the month.

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