“I’ve never bartended in my life and I have no idea how to make a mixed drink, but besides that I think it should
be a great time!” said Bindernagel. “It’s just going to be a fun evening, with proceeds going to a great cause, so I encourage everyone to come out.” Andy will be guest beardtending with a long-time friend and fellow beard-grower from 8 p.m. to midnight. A $10 donation entitles a beard fan to discounted drinks, as long as a Year of the Beard beardtender is pouring the beer. In addition to the one time donation, Bindernagel will be collecting “tips” all night, and 100% of those tips will be going to the Domestic Violence Center. To most, the idea of beard growing doesn’t translate to fundraising, but that was exactly what Bindernagel liked about it. “I wanted to show that raising money, trying to help out, doesn’t have to be the most difficult thing. You don’t have to be a pro at this. Sure it’s been a challenge, but if I can raise money this way, everybody can think of a way to help something they care about.” Bindernagel also wanted something that would be visible to everyone all the time. “My beard is long enough, and untamed enough, that people often ask me ‘What’s with your beard’ It’s a great way to start up a conversation about the charity.” The Domestic Violence Center of greater Cleveland is an important charity to Bindernagel because, “Domestic violence is something very real and it affects people’s lives daily. People who suffer with domestic violence can feel that there is no where to go and no way to get help. I think the Domestic Violence Center provides an invaluable service, and I wanted to help it however I could.”
Beardtending isn’t the only way Bindernagel collects donations for Year of the Beard. He takes one time donations, pledges-per-month he grows his beard, t-shirt sales profits, and charity events. At the first Year of the Beard event in March, with the help of prize baskets donated by local businesses, he was able to raise $1,412. Please see www.yearofthebeard.com for more information.