In the fall of 2006, an 826 Seattle volunteer proposed a rather unique fundraising idea: gather a group of fearless men, convince them to put their naturally occurring facial follicles to good use, and challenge them to a) grow a very fashionable mustache, b) gather financial support for 826 Seattle from family, friends, co-workers, ‘stache fans, and complete strangers, and c) garner mustache glory that would be the stuff of legends. Though the twenty-six mustache farmers were a bit trepidatious at first, once the money started rolling in, they embraced the event - and their mustaches - with gusto. The first annual 826 Seattle Mustache-a-thon raised an incredible $10,000.

In 2007, encouraged by our success, 826 tutoring centers across the country launched their own Mustache-a-thons. We organized our second iteration of the follicle frenzy (The Son of ‘Stache) with the help of 33 upper lips (including one woman who wore a fake mustache for six weeks). We garnered citywide attention and exceeded our $15,000 goal.

Lest the public fear we clip short whisker-inspired fundraising, the Mustache-a-thon is back, bigger and better then ever. With the help of Seattle’s music community (a battle-of-the-bands and a music showcase) and three categories of mustache fundraisers (mustache farmers, mustache emeritus, and mustache fans), and a goal of $20,000, Grandson of ‘Stache promises to pack more wallop than a Freddy Mercury high kick. Like any great rock band, we are going to end while we are on the top of the charts; this will be the last 826 Seattle Mustache-a-thon.

 

WE can (almost) publish two anthologies of student writing, including an audio CD of the students reading their work and throw a bang-up publishing party with special autographing pens for the authors, cookies, and milk in champagne glasses.

WE can host Seattle Public School students on field trips twice a week for ten weeks, inspiring them to know that a writing field trip can be just as much fun as one to the zoo!

WE can finance 33 workshops including volunteer training, publicizing the workshops on our web site, sending flyers and in-house publishing of 500 students’ stories. And, of course, this money also would cover the lead in the pencils and the electricity to light the way!

WE could pay the rent at our 3,500 square foot tutoring center for 5 months.

WE can provide eight weeks of drop-in sessions for students who want a creative and encouraging place to do homework after school, a friendly tutor to help them and, of course, a healthy snack.