Following the growth of Dancin' Shawny's beard through the 2011 Philadelphia Flyers Playoff Run and raising money through Beard-A-Thon for Flyers Charities.
How To Donate:
Go to my Beard-A-Thon Page And fill out the form to Pledge this Beard! (Make sure it says Shawny Hill)
There's a lot to look back on this postseason and hopefully this was staking our claim among the top. While this run was improbable, it definitely showed their are some assests in this organization that make the unbelievable believeable.
As for the Beard-a-Thon, I finished with a total of $650 and who knows how many people read this blog and decided to start a donation page for themselves. Overall, I'm happy with my efforts raising money this postseason, but just like the Flyers, next year the bar is raised higher, the expectations get bigger, and the hope never dies.
Thanks for all that read the blog and I hope even if you couldn't donate you got some enjoyment reading and seeing the pictures of my beard's growth.
I invite you all to go back and take a look at the pictures, including on my Twitter, where I posted the progress of shaving my beard off (too soon!).
There's not much left to be said, here we stand again, backs against the wall.
The answer, is in the beards. We've watched Hall of Fame goaltenders get beat, we've seen a comeback for the ages, we've beat the team that slain the giants.
Just wanted to do a quick post to update you guys with a photo. I'll try to get on a longer post tomorrow!
Like Leino on the ice, my beard has been everywhere. ABC, CBS, FOX, NE Philly, South Philly, New Jersey, Delaware, it's insane!
So all those appearances will have to make up for the fact that my webcam's not working right now so I can only use a crappy cell phone pic for today's update.
And DONATE already! The Stanley Cup Finals is tied 2-2 so time is running out to be apart of the Beard-a-Thon campaign!
Photo Update:
BONUS MATERIAL: My nephew RJ is almost 2 years old, so he's not often able to stay awake through the whole game. So my brother usually watches the games again the next day with him so RJ can experience the games.
At a Pep Rally at City Hall today, I couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the support of my fellow fans. Why I didn't expect anyone to doubt this team, it really is something to behold to see people out wearing orange, head held high, with a true belief that this team is no where near out of it.
I was asked by a reporter today why I grow a playoff beard. And while I'm not a player or a member of the organization, you start to feel like one when you join the cause and ditch the razor.
Also, the chance to help out Flyers Charities in their efforts to help others is a no-brainer. I'm lucky enough to have people cheer when I'm at the game. They take the tiny bit of enjoyment they get from seeing me and turn it into enthusiasm for the team. It's a great feeling that can't be taken away, even from the most obnoxious and misinformed of haters. All I can do is try to take the opportunity I have and make it last through my efforts raising money and spreading smiles.
There is still time to donate and anyone who has been reading this blog and hasn't donated yet, I ask that you please consider giving even the smallest amount so that you can be apart of all the greatness that is the Flyers fan base.
We can do more than just be the 7th man for our Flyers.
(Before we get started, on this Memorial Day I want to send a special thanks out to all the service men and women and Veterans for all they do to make sure people like me have the freedom to do as they choose. Including things like growing playoff beards and fros. THANK YOU!)
Game 2 (electric boogaloo) tonight in Chicago after a wild Game 1 affair. The Flyers need to refocus and play their game for 60 minutes.
As for the beard, it's itching to make an appearance at home after a series split. But it's also to get a little support and break the $500 wall we've hit.
Flyers fans, this playoff run has been amazing so far with a different guy stepping up time after time.
So as in the Flyers quest, my goal to raise money for Flyers Charities has come down to this question:
So for my Beard Blog today I was going to feature an interview I did today with a local news station. It didn't air when they said it would, but we'll see if it's going to air on the 11 o'clock broadcast. I mentioned the blog in it, so it really would have been a great tie in. Oh well.
Edit: Got bumped for breaking news. Could air tomorrow. Fair enough!
However, NBC 10 is airing a commercial that features me. Except, it's the me from over a year ago! Beardless! Jeez!
Don't worry, the beard is still growing strong and still awaits your donations!
It's hard to be alone with my thoughts and not have them get too far ahead. But you take a deep breath and refocus.
For weeks now I've been asking you to donate. If you haven't already, there's no more time to waste. Get your donation in now and dive 100% into this Playoff Run!
NOW is the time for all of us to come together! It takes every person giving their all to accomplish the ultimate goal.
NOW is the time to dig deep for Flyers Charities, the extra effort to spread joy all around.
NOW is the time......
......to be RELENTLESS!
LET'S GO FLYERS!!
Photo Update: - Dancin' Shawny (Follow me on Twitter, then donate!)
It's only been on Versus and ESPN's SportsCenter. And tomorrow it will be featured on FOX's Good Day Philadelphia. In addition it's going to help me host a Game 3 viewing party at PJ Whelihan's in Cherry Hill, NJ!
So not only should you DONATE, you should check out the beard on TV (if you haven't already) or come SEE IT IN PERSON at the viewing party!
I'll be taking donations at PJ's, but it would be really awesome if you could just go DONATE at Beard-a-thon right now. The time is now to pledge your support as the playoff run continues.
So the beard made it on National TV (actually it was Versus), did you see it? If not check below!
Now for some of you, you were able to see it on TV and be like, I support that! What if the beard gets on TV again tonight? Can you say the same?
A couple thoughts about the beard:
Sometimes the beard looks glorious. It looks unbelievably thick, powerful, and all-covering.
It looks like nothing can take it down.
But that doesn't mean we can settle. Every night you have to brush it, condition it. You need to make sure the beard is always at the top of it's game!
We keep on growing as we head into the Eastern Conference Finals against Montreal. This time around, home ice.
So that means the beard has to make a quick turnaround and bring it tonight to the 20,000 loud and proud Wachovia Center. And it's tingling with anticipation.
However, it could really use your donations. As we all know we'll never give up, but sometimes you just need a spark to get things going again. And while my beard can't rely on a big save, key timeout, or clutch goal, it can ask for your donations to help Flyers Charities.
So before Round 3 at the Center, or at the bar, or at your buddies house; wherever you've been dropping dollars this playoffs, stop on over at Beard-a-Thon and throw a couple bucks towards a great cause!
Looking into the mirror this morning and the playoff beard is a sign of the dedication and sacrifice. For over a month now, the beard has been growing stronger, and it's ready to take another step and keep on growing.
I had a bit of pride in my beard today. It’s tingling with the rush of playoff hockey tonight in Philadelphia. 20,000 orange clad fans, giving it absolutely everything they got. How can you not love it?
So I’m asking you to help keep the competitive fires going with your donation. Any little bit helps. Kinda like finishing a check, you never quite know how that’ll factor in later.
I now fully understand the feeling or not getting back into the groove after a long layoff.
Things have been very busy around here lately, and sort of like Boucher on turn around shots, I’m just not getting the job done.
With that said, it’s acceptable for a Beard Blogger, not for a hockey team.
But if we both start today, and hit it hard, we can still do this thing.
For me, it’s getting you to DONATE! My beard is at full coverage, with a little hint of gray in there to show you not only does it mean business. But it’s been meanin’ business for years now!
I’d really like to go into Game 3 with some momentum, and it looks like it’s going to be up to you, the donaters (yeah I made up a word) to make it happen.
Whatta you say Flyers fans…..we’ve hit a bit of trouble, are we going to pack in it with a pack of razors…..
Having some uploading problems, but I'll have a photo update before the end of the week. At the end of the week we'll be playing in Round 2. By the end of the night, we'll know who we are playing in Round 2!
Also we'll get to see the progression of the Flyers's beards!
I'm finally starting to feel the weight of my beard. There's starting to get that constant feeling of something being on my face, which usually last a couple days and usually means it's ready for prime time.
However, while the beard is rollin' along, and is awaiting your donation, I'm wondering if I should get a haircut before we get underway in Round 2. Some people allow for the trimming of beards/hair inbetween rounds. I'll never trim my beard unless an odd circumstance, but I've always wondered about haircuts.
So that's the question I pose to you beard blog readers...is a haircut acceptable?
And remember, the goal is to match the total for Round 1 in Round 2! So you need to donate TODAY!
Haven't posted in a couple days as my off days became rather busy, but I also figured everyone could use a day or two off!
However, I'm ready to get back to hockey, and I hope you're ready to get back to donating! I'm currently in 3rd place on the leaderboard and as we get ready for Round 2 I'm ready to throw it into high gear!
Here's how you can help - I understand money is tough all around (please keep reading), so what I'm asking is to ask your co-workers, friends, etc. Link them to the blog, tell them about the causes (Breast Cancer Research, Children's charities, and many more in OUR area), show them my photos, show them my YouTube videos!
You buy their kids cookies, sponsor their walk-a-thons, and give soup to their homeless. Why can't they help support a guy growing a beard for charity? :-)
But seriously, I'd love to show how much passion the Flyers Community has by trying to match my Round 1 donation total of over $400! Let's show why we're not only the Most Intimidating Fans in Hockey, but just as supportive outside of hockey as well. (Plus we can't let any of those other clubs raise more money than us?)
While we hear stories of light practice and wait for reports on Lappy's face, the Beard-a-Thon quest rages on! My beard is has reached full coverage and now will grow into a gritty, playoff tested, Round 2 beast!
Kinda like the Flyers themselves, now's the time to hop on board and enjoy. Donate today so when Game 3 of the Second Round comes, you can find me down at the Wachovia Center, point to the many, many hairs on my chin, and get amped up knowing you kept the Playoff Beard going, and helped many people along the way!
Eliminated the Devils and now are waiting to see who we'll face in Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This also means the beard keeps on growing and you haven't missed out on your chance to Donate!
For your viewing pleasure, my beard took a trip to entertain some local students! See the clip below from CBS 3 (ignore the guy at the end who tries to talk about the nfl draft..LAME!)
Special Thanks to those at St. Christopher's for inviting me out to help them get Flyer'd Up!
I've always loved growing a playoff beard. It's something I think every hockey fan should do at least once and every hockey player should do as soon as they are able to grow anything.
Yet every year at playoff time I'm reminded, that there is one person in my life that HATES beards. And she let's me know, multiple times a day. Luckily for me, I have a very important person in my corner who is Pro-beard!
But every playoff season, I have to hear this debate. So I asked them to write up a short piece to share with you (philly)phaithful Beard Blog readers. Enjoy!
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Why I Hate the Beard
By: Shawny’s Mom
Hate the beard Shawn! I am glad the Flyers made the playoffs, but now I have to look at my son with this ugly beard. Every day I see the beard growing more. It seems to grow out, rather than longer. It is crawling down his neck and up his face. I think it looks horrible. It is coarse and thick and takes away from his beautiful blue eyes. He is 24 years old, but now looks like he is pushing 30, with all this hair on his face.
I know it is for a good cause, to raise money for Flyers Charities, but this beard takes away his boyish looks. Help, my son looks like a mountain man!! I can only wonder how the Flyers mothers feel watching their pride and joy on the ice, covered with facial hair, hiding the face they love. I’m hoping the Flyers win them all in a row these playoffs, so all this ugly hair can disappear.
Why I Love the Beard
By: Missle (Shawny's Girlfriend)
Love it or hate it, the Stanley Cup Playoff Beard is a time-honored tradition that has evolved into a staple of the sport itself.Every April, fans and players alike shun their razors for as long as their team can stay alive in the grueling, thrilling quest for Lord Stanley's prize.I love the playoff beard because it serves as a constant reminder of my favorite time of year.Because it represents my team's quest, and the fact that this might be our year.Because it means I'll be able to watch the best hockey played all year on television, every night.Because, from the # 21 of 2008 to the # 21 of 2010, the range of beard growing ability never ceases to amaze me.Because, this time of year, stubble on your face represents much more than a laziness, fashion statement, or an unwillingness to shave; it means you're a part of a team.
As for Shawny's beard?Well, that's where his mom and I disagree... I think it looks great on him :-)
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No matter who you agree with, both would like to ask you to donate, because helping out a great cause is always a favorite!
LET'S GO FLYERS!!
-Dancin' Shawny
(Hittin' up the Twitter tonight for Game 5!)
We got a 3-1 series lead, but we're breaking foots and toes suffering lower body injuries. So it looks like we're not out of the woods yet.
But while the injury front would be a receding hairline, the rest of the team is a full steam ahead of facial growth. Which leads me nicely back into......Playoff Beards!
It looks like we'll get to see the debuts of Ville Leino's and David Laliberte playoffs beards and I'm expecting big things. I remember Laliberte from my time at the Phantoms being able to get great coverage. (Though as much as I'm down with Laliberte, my friend Riley should really get a chance for playoff action. Yeah, I said it.)
Last night the beard and I had to endure a full TV timeout worth of dancing, but it was all worth it to give a little extra face time to convince you that THIS is the beard to pledge this playoff year. It's starting to get nice and thick and soon will be in the minor leagues of "bushy" status. (Minor league of Bush League? Is that even possible?)
And while the play of late seemingly supports the notion that there will be more time to donate, why wait? Get on board early! Like everyone who already owns a Giroux jersey you could be part of the growing movement!
(I love how this is turning into a pun filled lounge comedian act)
Tomorrow I hope to have a fun little Point-Counterpoint featuring two important people to my life. It'll give a little glimpse at what I deal with come playoff time.
Until then all that's left to do is GROW DONATE!(One more pun for the road)
Photo time: (Goofy Edition)
(Don't do this with your wristband. Donate instead!)
Playoff hockey tonight in Philadelphia and I could not be more pumped!
Except when it come to donations. We've stalled. I haven't had a donation in a couple days, and while times are tough, I'm hoping someone will dig deep and give a little for charity.
And just to remind people, I don't get anything out of this except an awesome beard and the pleasure of helping others.
Here's where your money is going (via Flyers Charities website).
"The money raised during fundraising initiatives has helped the Foundation assist many local beneficiaries such as, but not limited to: Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis & Education Center, Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation, YMCA, Philadelphia Youth Network, Firefly Literacy Fund, Virtua Foundation, Penn Hospice at Rittenhouse, Foundation for Melanoma Research, and Living Beyond Breast Cancer."
As much as I try to have fun here, I want to make sure the cause isn't lost.
Anyway, as we hit Game 4 tonight we're going to start seeing good growth on just about everyone growing beards. Haven't really seen a good leading candidate yet, unless you count Scott Hartnell, but I haven't really seen him around. Maybe that'll change tonight.
Tonight I plan to to a little Shampoo dance move, making sure to lather up the beard as well! Be on the lookout for it!
In the time of year known for Playoff Beards the man with the 'stache gets it done! Great game last night and my beard and I were on the edge of our seat the whole game!
Speaking of, my beard made it's home debut to rave reviews, but no donations! It was even featured at the Beard-A-Thon stand in the Wachovia Center! But I'm not going to let it deter me, I know I have quality growth and have faith in the fan base that pushed the Flyers to victory last night.
So Flyers Fans I'm asking you, let's keep this momentum going! Please pledge my beard in the Flyers Bears-A-Thon !
Right now, I still stand in second place behind Mr. Luukko. (Read my previous post on why you should help me get back into first!)
As for the beard blog, been a bunch of quick posts so far, so we'll have some fun posts coming up this week. I have some guest posters coming up as well such as my girlfriend and Mother in an epic debate! I've also asked Glen Macnow of 610WIP and Jeff Marek of HNIC Radio for some beard related posts, and they both, well, haven't responded to me asking. So I'll ask some more people!
Game 3 is here and it's time for the home debut of my playoff beard. If you are going to the game tonight (BE LOUD AND PROUD ALL GAME) check out the beard on the big board and find out first hand why you should donate!
And if you see ol' $1000 Luukko, tell him my beard's coming for him!
Peter Luukko has jumped out to an impressive $1,000 total. I sit in second place on the leaderboard with $300. We're 2 games into the playoff run and just like the Flyers who head home for two home games, this is the time for us to take charge!
I'm asking you, Flyers Fans, pledge my beard and don't let Peter Luukko win! Donate to my beard, the beard that represents the fans! Every hair on my face represents every orange clad screaming fan!
This beard yells at the refs and boos the opponent. This beard would keep the Spectrum open and the Phantoms in Philadelphia. This beard knows that the War Room in Toronto is bias. This beard would never make you pay $15 dollars to park your car. This beard would do whatever it could to save the league from Gary Bettman. This beard rocks the party that rocks the body. This beard is ready to be loud ALL GAME come Sunday.
So please, donate whatever you can the Flyers Fan beard. Let's close the gap on Luukko!
P.S. I forgot to mention. Every dollar that both Peter Luukko and I raise goes to Flyers Charities, so every dollar is a for a great cause no matter who's specific beard gets the money. I still think you should pledge mine, but I applaud Peter and his work for charity and he deserves your kudos for that effort.
Good win last night by the Flyers! As for the Beard-A-Thon, We Are On A Roll! $300 so far so has put me near the top of the leaderboard. But I'm not satisfied yet!
Here are some reasons why you should donate!
1) You can't grow a beard - Work won't let you, girlfriend hates it, your a defenseman from Lativa; whatever the excuse may be, show your support by supporting my beard! 2) It's almost the opposite of a walk-a-thon - I love the opportunity to help out others by raising money, but sometimes you have to do things like walk 5 miles. This, just watch my beard grow! 3) Our collective efforts are on display! - I said last year that pledging my beard is like buying stock in it, when I'm dancing on the big screen, and you see my beard, you can say, "Hey! I'm part of that beard!" 4) You can do it for a $1 a day - One of the cool things about the Beard-A-Thon is that you can donate $1 for everyday the Flyers are in the playoffs! It's a great way to not only show faith in beard, but in the Flyers! 5) I'm going to come up with a contest - If you donate, you may win something. Details as I get them.
That's 5 good reasons to donate and there are at least a couple more!
TONIGHT it begins. The hairs on my face are standing in full anticipation for tonights opening game. It's a special time of year, my favorite time of year (except the weather, I miss the snow) and tonight the previous 82 games don't matter.
Beard wise we'll get to see the growth of some of our favorites. Briere's smooth stubble, Giroux's red wonder, and actual growth on Gagne! Remember 10 YEARS AGO and when Gags was 20 and it was hilarious watching him try to grow one? I'm also interested to see Lappy and DP's beards which I hope are as classic as they are. And will Downshall (Carcillo for those not familiar) keep rockin' the stache or will he go full growth?
Anyway, let's not forget, the beard show dedication, commitment, and sacrifice. So please visit https://www.beardathon.com/flyers/DancingShawny/profile.aspx and donate. It's for a great cause. So far I've got $0! Yeah, that's embarrassing. But it also gives an opportunity for someone to be the first one to donate and get the ball rolling!
My goal for today, at least is $20 before the puck drop tonight!
