Stache Bash brings out characters while raising funds for kids

This past Friday night in Wrightsville Beach, while an evening of fundraising at the Hope from Helen auction was ending just down the road, another was just getting started as the Mustaches for Kids Stache Bash”got underway at Banks Channel. For many of the mustaches that were grown for the event, the event marked the end of the line, as several said the ’staches would be shaved the next day.

For the men that spent the month of November growing mustaches and raising funds, the Stache Bash was one last night to show off the lip hair that helped them sport a new style while possibly annoying their significant other.

That was the case for Axel Erkes, who said on Friday night that he would be shaving on Saturday morning.

“It will be gone,” he said. “My wife doesn’t agree with it.”

While the contest may have been judged by the hair on the lip, the men growing mustaches approached the Stache Bash as a continuation of Halloween, as most came in costume that supported their facial hair.

Lew Morgante came dressed as Inspector Clouseau, complete with a Pink Panther stuffed animal, while J. Todd Turner dressed as “The Simpson’s” Ned Flanders.

Chris Lienhop, of Wilmington, wore a wig and powder blue polo shirt to pull off the look of Kip, the older brother of famed movie teenager Napoleon Dynamite. Brandon Ball helped Lienhop complete the act by portraying Uncle Rico, while Lienhop had his lines down, especially when talking about his Internet girlfriend LaFawnduh.

“We’ve been chatting online for two hours a day,” Lienhop deadpanned. “You can say things are getting serious.”

Jeffrey Bousquet was among a group of four work colleagues who dressed as Lt. Dangle of the television show “Reno 911,” complete with short shorts.

“If you’re going to go all in, go all in,” Bousquet said of the shorts. Getting serious, Bousquet said the event was a “great way to raise money.”

All told, this year’s Mustaches for Kids raised $33,500 for a variety of charities that focus on children’s welfare, including Ocean Cure, Brigade Boys & Girls Club, Make a Wish, Dreams of Wilmington, JDRF diabetes foundation, Communities in Schools Cape Fear and Hope from Helen, which also held its charity auction on Friday night.

Mustache growers won awards for their fundraising efforts. Ryan Wegman, who raised the most with $1,300, won the Golden Stache award. First-time participant Joey Hamm raised $1,021 and won the Rookie of the Year award. A veteran mustache grower, Arlo McLawhorn, won the Legendary Mustache award for his efforts at consistently raising money for the group.

The fundraiser’s organizer, or Stache Master, Ryan McInnis said the charity helps bring “Christmas wishes for so many.”

McInnis said the fundraiser’s success comes partly due to people’s interest in the mustaches. To help keep those mustaches looking their best, they are tightly regulated by the organizers. Beards, goatees and soul patches aren’t allowed, and neither is stubble, McInnis said.

“If there’s stubble, there’s trouble,” he said.

To monitor the mustaches, participants had to either attend weekly events or send in photographs. Participants would also wear buttons promoting the charity. But McInnis said the best promotion was the mustaches themselves.

“It matters how many people are exposed to our mustaches,” he said. “When it’s in front of people, they donate.”

Donations can still be made at www.crowdrise.com/mustacheswilmington2015/

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