A Boston Bruins 'Facial Hair Face-Off'

The Boston Bruins rallied to even their Stanley Cup series with the Vancouver Canucks at three games apiece Monday, setting up the series final on Wednesday. For Bruins fans, it meant the dream of Boston’s first championship since Bobby Orr is still alive.

For Bruins fan Edward Foster, the B’s victory in Game 6 meant a couple more days with his Grizzly Adams-like facial hair. The Gales Ferry native began growing his beard in April as part of a “Beard-A-Thon” challenge to raise money for the Boston Bruins Foundation.

The fund-raiser began at the end of the regular season (in hockey, the playoffs continue for months). Foster, a Northeastern University graduate, set a goal of $500, which he topped this week.  As of Tuesday he was at $600.

The Beard-A-Thon absolutely will end Wednesday night with the crowning of a new NHL champion. Foster, who works in the Boston area as an IT director, is hoping for many more donations between now and Wednesday night. (Click here to make a pledge.)

The Boston Bruins Foundation supports youth athletic programs in the Boston area, and also supports terminally ill children through hospital visits and other programs. So far, the Beard-A-Thon challenge has raised more than $70,000.

Throughout the challenge Foster has been updating his photo on the Beard-A-Thon website.  Most donors leave comments. 

Renata Paglio, who donated $25, had this to say: “Seriously, do you have small animals growing in there?”

To which “Becka,” another contributor, responded, “Your beard could be someone’s pet. :-)”

“Always down for supporting a fellow brethren of the beard!” wrote Tom Vessels.

Foster is the son of Kit and Jill Foster of Long Cove Road. Kit, the Town Historian, also sports a beard, although his is somewhat neater than his son’s.

“Mine is longer than his,” Edward said, comparing his facial growth to his dad’s. “It’s also kind of itchy.”

He plans to trim it after Wednesday. But until then, you get to tease him mercilessly while supporting a good cause.

“You look great both with the beard and without,” wrote “Valerie,” adding, “Go B’s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”