City of Perryville launches Bucks 4 Beards fundraiser to support relief efforts

PERRYVILLE, Mo. (KBSI) — In an effort to raise funds for tornado recovery efforts, the city of Perryville has introduced a unique fundraiser called Bucks 4 Beards. Giving residents the chance to vote on City Administrator Brent Buerck’s next beard style.

Buerck, typically clean-shaved, had been growing out his beard with plans to shave it on April 1. However, after a tornado struck Perryville, city officials saw an opportunity to turn his beard into a fundraising method.

“Brent Buerck is usually a clean-shaven man,” said Public Works Director Jeff Layton. “When the tornado hit, we saw an opportunity to have a little fun with Brent. He’s got a good sense of humor and is willing to do just about anything to help the community.”

Now, Buerck’s beard is being put to good use, allowing residents to vote on one of three stylish options, he must wear for an entire week.

“They knew I was planning on shaving my beard on the first of April,” Buerck said. “So they called and said, ‘Hey, would you care if we had a little bit of fun with you shaving your beard?’”

The city teamed up with Buerck’s barber, as well as his wife and the mayor, to select three wild styles for the contest, in Buercks words,  a monkey tail beard, a Batman-inspired design, and a Mr. T-style Mohawk beard. Each vote costs a donation, with all proceeds going toward tornado relief efforts.

“He loved the idea and encouraged us to go all out with the goofiest ideas we could come up with if it meant raising money for the community,” Layton said.

The fundraiser comes at a critical time, as many Perryville residents are still recovering from the storm’s destruction.

“It’s not meant to make light of a very serious situation, but it is meant to draw attention to the struggles our folks are having,” Buerck said. “We had almost 30 houses either totally destroyed or majorly damaged. Some of those folks are going to need help. If we can have a contest that gets people to donate, it seems like the right thing to do.”

Layton says that the recovery process will take time.

“Long-term recovery takes months and years for some people,” he said. “We just don’t want to lose sight of that and want to make sure people have what they need to get back on their feet.”

While Buerck is happy to help, he admitted the beard styles are far from his personal choice.

“All of them are terrible,” he joked. “One looks like a monkey tail, one looks like Batman, and one is literally a Mr. T Mohawk. If you want to see me suffer through one of those for a week, register your vote, make your donation, and help our families that are struggling.”

Despite the challenges, Buerck remains hopeful.

“The city has bent but not broken,” he said. “We continue to recover, and we hope this effort makes a difference in the lives of many in Perryville.”

You can help make a difference, donate here.