The Bearded Men’s Society of Ocean City will hold a one-of-a-kind event to benefit a local charity.
On Friday, Sept. 9, the Bearded Men’s Society of Ocean City will host the 2nd Annual Beard and Mustache Competition at Pit-n-Pub on 28th St. in Ocean City, Md. The unique event will showcase five categories including Longest, Widest, Stylish, Fakest and Best in Show.
Contest category ‘Fakest’ winner Anna O’Neill of Berlin poses with friend Corey Lynn Palmer (Photo: Corey Lynn Palmer)
The Bearded Men’s Society of Ocean City is run by President Rob Dunne, Vice President Alex Ottenstein and Treasurer Dan Woods. Ottenstein, who had previously volunteered at Diakonia, brainstormed with Dunne to create the event.
“I applied to be a volunteer for Diakonia prior to joining the Bearded Men’s Society and saw Diakonia can use all the help they can get,” Ottenstein says.
During the event, 20% of Pit-n-Pub’s register ring will go towards Diakonia, in addition to a donation bin collecting tangible items, laundry detergent, Ziploc bags and more. According to Ottenstein, last year the organization collected a car full of donations as well as $1,447.
On top of the register ring and collection bin, the event will host a silent auction offering beer from Dogfish Head Brewing Company, two tickets to one of DFH’s festivals and various pieces of arts from local artists. Ottenstein says the group hopes to raise $1,500-$2,000 during this year’s event, and spread the word of Diakonia.
“The event is so other people can get involved and be aware,” Ottenstein says.
The Bearded Men’s Society was founded in January 2014 with the mantra of ‘Beards, Beers and Volunteers.’ Ottenstein says the group sits around, throws out ideas and figures out ways to put them into action.
“We like to give back to the community and between all of us we know a lot of people and have the resources to do it,” Ottenstein says. “You get the right people together and that’s what started it.”
The Bearded Men’s Society meets the first Thursday of every month at Pizza Tugos in West Ocean City beginning at 7 p.m. In addition to the Beard and Mustache Competition, the organization holds beach cleanups on Assateague Island and Ocean City, and walks in various holiday parades on Delmarva.
To learn more about the Bearded Men’s Society, visit www.facebook.com/BMSofOCMD.
Contest host DJBK sizes up the goods on Tommy Gladding of Pocomoke City (Photo: Alex Ottenstein)
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