SWEETWATER COUNTY – The Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office and the Rock Springs and Green River Police Departments recently raised over $900 to heighten cancer awareness and show support for a Rock Springs woman battling cancer through a special challenge project late last year called “No Shave November.”

Participants in “No Shave November” events forego shaving and grow beards and mustaches, and donate to the effort the money they would have spent shaving; women from all three agencies also contributed to the event.

At a special ceremony on Thursday hosted by her employer, the Rock Springs IV Center, city and county officers presented Mindi Vermeulen of Rock Springs with a check for $905. Mindi also received special gifts donated by businesses in Rock Springs and Green River, including a plaque from Sweetwater Trophies, Framing, and Gifts of Green River, a dozen roses from Touch of Class in Rock Springs, a cake from Lovely and Amazing Cakes, Green River, two bracelets from Daniels Jewelry, Rock Springs, a massage from Maureen Holden of Seppie Physical Theraphy, LLC, of Rock Springs, and a handmade quilt from Janalee Stapleton.

“No Shave” philanthropic fundraising events have been staged the world over since 1999. Nations participating in addition to the United States have included the United Kingdom, Israel, Ireland, Canada, the Czech Republic, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, El Salvador, Spain, and South Africa, with millions of dollars raised every year.

Speaking on behalf of the three agencies, Sheriff Mike Lowell praised Mindi’s courage and expressed the community’s support for her. “We all have family or friends who have fought your fight,” he told her. “We want you to know you have our admiration, and our respect.”