Paws Assisting Veterans

November is the month of beautiful fall weather, all four major sports, and the beginning of the holiday season. It is Peanut Butter Lovers’ Month, National Novel Writing Month, and Native American Heritage Month.

Most importantly, it is the month associated to men’s mental and physical health awareness, and the celebration of Veteran’s Day.

The original movement of Movember was to highlight men’s health awareness. The group encouraged people to grow a mustache, and run/walk 60 miles over the course of the month to raise awareness.

The Abernethy Bridge team would like to support the cause, and host our own fundraising campaign in support of the charitable foundation of the job team’s choice, as voted on by the participants.

How Can I Participate?:

1. Beard Bounty

a. Each participant should grow their facial hair out for one month, beginning in late October. This will serve as the canvas for the art of the bounty.

b. Each participant’s facial hair will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. The winner of the bid at the end of the month will be allowed to determine, with full autonomy, what said individual must don for the final week of the month (preferably mustache-adjacent).

c. Each participant’s face will be posted in the office, with a bid list below them to track price progress.

d. A cutting party will be held in the Abernethy office so everyone gets to enjoy the spectacle.

2. Move-ember

a. Participants collect pledges to improve their own health. This will be left up to each participant on how they would like to solicit their pledge.

i. Example 1 – Person A decides they would like to collect based on their calories burned for the month as determined by their smart watch

1. Person A gets someone to pledge $.01 for each calorie they burn from Person B. Person A burns 10,000 kcal, Person B donates $100.

ii. Example 2 – Person B decides they want to run more. Person B solicits $1 for every mile they run in the month of November.

iii. Make up your own solicitation, but get out and move in the name of health awareness.

Where does the money go?:

A collection of charities will be posted on the wall at the Abernethy Office to be voted on by all. With both health and Veterans being recognized during the month, a few different Veteran’s assistance programs will be posted, as well as the Movember foundation, Cancer Research foundations, and a write in list. If 2-3 charities all come in with similar votes, we can split the donation pool.

We encourage any and all to participate, even those off the job, to support the cause and raise awareness for Veteran’s wellbeing and mental health this Movember.