The founders of Beards BeCAUSE, Jared Yerg and Scott Doerr, are just a few regular guys who came up with a great idea on a Sunday afternoon and put some thoughts down on a cocktail napkin. Our idea is to have a unique, fun, and successful fundraiser while raising awareness about the issue of domestic violence and making a positive impact and contribution to the Charlotte Battered Women's Shelter.

The Battered Women's Shelter was chosen to raise awareness and much needed funds for an issue that impacts all of us. The abuse of women and children is intolerable, and we are hoping that bringing the issue to light will help more women realize that they are in unhealthy relationships and give them courage to make a change, while at the same time providing much needed funds to take care of these women and their families. We felt that doing something that is a symbol of masculinity, growing a beard, in support of these women's plight had a nice dichotomy.

The inaugural growing campaign kicked off November 3, 2007 at Dolce Vita and wrapped up January 11, 2008 at Amos' Southend. With 36 Growers supporting the CAUSE, fundraising was a major success with over $22,000.00 being raised and donated to the United Family Services' Shelter for Battered Women of Charlotte.

In the second year, the sophomore slump was completely avoided with the enlisting of 94 Growers, Bearded Ladies, and FUNRazors to chapion the CAUSE. With close to 950 people in attendence for our return to Amos' Southend for the Finale, we were able to raise almost $47,000 for the shelter.

Jared Yerg Co-Founder
Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Jared is a graduate of Slippery Rock University where he earned a degree in Communications and was active in the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He started working construction in PA and was transferred to Charlotte in 2001 as a purchasing agent. He caught the philanthropic bug while doing the Guys and Dolls Bachelor/Bachelorette Charity Auction. Since, he has worked on fundraisers for pediatric cancer, youth soccer programs, the Charlotte Humane Society and domestic violence. His eclectic tastes lend him to supporting local artists and he can usually be found tooling around the NoDa galleries or having a glass of vino at Dolce Vita.

Scott Doerr Co-Founder
Scott is from Vero Beach, FL and moved to Charlotte after graduating from Clemson University with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1998. As an avid private pilot, motorcyclist, and outdoor enthusiast, he’s always on the go exploring new places and meeting new people. His charitable work got started volunteering with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in 2003 and has continued ever since. He is thankful to be in a position to be able to help others and give back to the community that has given him so much over the years.

Wendy Shanahan Creative/Marketing Genius
Wendy came to Charlotte via Kansas City, Missouri. She is a graduate of Belmont Abbey College with a degree in Marketing and Liberal Studies. She is a Principal Partner at the marketing and creative design firm Asterisk Creative. Wendy is an avid painter and is always looking for new creative outlets. She is also is within the community and with local charities. She feels strongly that by doing her part she can help make a difference.

The Mission at United Family Services is to inspire individuals, families and communities to find solutions that create a better future.

The Vision at United Family Services is to work for a community that supports families in developing and maintaining dignity, respect and choices for all its members.They work in diverse ways, and in partnership with others, to restore all individuals and families to basic levels of security, self-sufficiency, and belonging, through quality services to ensure that children have mentors, that women are safe, that victims are not left in the cold, that no one is overwhelmed by debt, and that counseling is accessible. They pledge to be responsive to evolving needs and opportunities as we move into our future.

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