BEARD COMPETITION FOR THE CHILDREN WHO LOST THEIR MOTHERS TO CANCER

Dean Banowetz and Joel Strasser met through their mutual love for adorning their beards in crazy ways. After speaking, they realized that they shared something else in common. They both recently lost a loved one, which is where the goal to raise money for four children’s college funds in honor of their recently passed moms came from.

Dean also known as the “Hollywood Hair Guy” or Hollywood beard guy has won second place for a national title in the Garibaldi category and creates beautifully decorated beards because of his love for the holidays. Dean met Meagan Schaaf in 2004 in Michigan while he was visiting a cosmetology school. She won a day with him in LA and from then on they were best-friends. She moved to LA shortly after and became his hair assistant. She called him her “hair daddy” a role he took very seriously until he gained a new title. When her first daughter was born, “hair daddy” turned to Gaypa and he wore the title proudly! As one daughter turned into two, Dean’s Gaypa role became more and more important. Before Meagan had passed Dean promised her that he would love her girls and husband as he has always loved her. Dean is now wanting to take some pressure off of Kirk's shoulders and staying true to his word, he loves being Gaypa.

Joel’s interest in World Records started in his classroom. He would notice students minds wandering so he would keep sticking pencils in his beard until they would look at him in awe. He realized it worked like a charm, and the rest is history as he has now won ten Guinness World Record titles for sticking items in his beard. Joel and Melissa’s family have been friends for years. They live in the same community and would get together often. Helping his best friend by doing what he loves is a true honor.

Melissa Anderson was diagnosed with colorectal cancer on February 5th, 2020, after just giving birth to a baby boy in September. After fighting hard for the last year to battle colorectal cancer, she passed away on February 22, 2021, at the age of 40.

To learn more about Melissa’s story and donate please click the learn more button below.

On January 4th 2021 Parker and Dylan, these 2 amazing little girls lost their mother Meagan Herrera Schaaf after a very courageous battle with stage IV Colon Cancer at the age of 36.

To learn more about Meagan’s story and donate please click the learn more button below.