The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office and Champaign County Judge Brett A. Gilbert will participate in “No Shave November” again this year for a good cause.

For the entire month, the staff at the sheriff’s office and the judge can choose to stop shaving and grow out their facial hair. They must donate $40 to participate.

The Champaign County Deputies Association will contribute to the money raised.

During last year’s “No Shave November” efforts, $2,100 was raised for Dayton Children’s Hospital.

This year, Sheriff Matt Melvin, his staff and Gilbert will donate the money raised to Jillian Ripley, an 11-year-old from Mechanicsburg, diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) and to Blake Barr, a fifth grader at Graham Elementary School battling brain cancer.

“Law enforcement agencies have strict grooming policies,” Melvin stated. “However, our office will relax those standards for the month of November for a very good cause. Each individual deputy that participates must still maintain a professional appearance.

“Cancer has affected so many people, not only in the sheriff’s office but also in our community. This is our way of giving back and making a difference,” he said.

The sheriff’s office will present a check to the families during the first week of December.