The latest fundraiser at Bend High School can be summed up in one word: itchy.

Almost every male teacher at the school is helping raise funds for the school’s Thankful Families program, and they’re doing it by growing beards.

Some are fuzzier than others, but they all agree that No Shave November is worth it to help families in need.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Vice Principal Chris Reese said. “The kids will vote on which beard they like best and help us raise some money.”

Reese said the idea for No Shave November came from the Oregon State University football team. Last season, the Beavers’ offense grew beards throughout November as a team-bonding measure.

“Everyone got on board,” Reese said.

Then they decided to take it a step further. Working with Activities Director Jan McKnight, the group figured they could raise some cash with their scruff.

Ashley Penington, a 17-year-old senior, is taking the lead on the fundraiser.

The money will go to the school’s Thankful Families fundraiser, in which student council members provide all the ingredients for a nice Thanksgiving dinner to seven families in the community. The council plans to spend about $125 from its coffers on each family, so whatever is raised through No Shave November will go toward the food.

To raise the beard money, the student council will set up jars this week in the main office, each jar corresponding to the photo of one bearded teacher.

Students vote with cash.

The teacher who receives the most pennies will win the award for best wannabe beard; whoever has the most silver coins receives second place; and the bewhiskered man with the most dollars will win best beard.

On Friday, the funds will be tallied and one teacher will walk away the bearded winner.

While only teachers are eligible for the awards, some students are getting in on the act as well.

Jared Doolan, an 18-year-old senior, recognizes that his blond beard is more sparse than many of the teachers’, but he’s OK with that.

“It’s nice to not be shaving,” he said. “I think most people think it’s out of laziness.”

Ashley said many of the boys on the football team also are participating.

“We see all these guys who are always clean-shaven, and now they’re strutting around,” she said.

There’s not as much strutting among the teachers, but some are already picking the front-runners.

Almost everyone agrees that math teacher Scott Baker will take all with the growth he’s cultivated over the past few weeks.

“Baker, he’s probably the best,” Ashley said.

“Yeah, I can’t take him seriously. It’s on his neck,” said 17-year-old senior Sara Spring. “We’re calling it a ‘neard.’”

And the teachers seem to agree.

“Baker’s going to win,” said teacher Jeff Anderson, who is also growing a beard. “He looks like a Chia pet.”

If there’s a dark horse in the running, it could be Ross Torkelson.

“I don’t know, Torkelson’s is pretty gray, and there’s some dark spots,” said 16-year-old Allison Lake, of the math teacher. “It’s like a dalmatian beard.”

Several teachers believe math teacher Rusty Clemons might have the wannabe beard in the bag.

“I’m totally fine with it,” he said, laughing.

While the new and in some cases patchy scruff is for a good cause, a few of the teachers are regretting their decision to support Thankful Families with their whiskers.

“Some of them are really cranky about it,” McKnight said. “And so are their wives.”

Matt Craven, a math teacher, said his beard will be gone as soon as school lets out Friday afternoon. Kevin Cooper will keep his until football season is over.

“This has become No Kiss November,” Cooper said, as his wife, Kristin Cooper, nodded.

But, he said, on Friday, maybe he’ll keep the mustache.

Maybe not.

“The wives are suffering more,” Kristin Cooper said, laughing.

But the men are definitely suffering, if only in getting more grief from their students.

“I’ve had some seniors who’ve pointed out the gray,” said Anderson, who grows a beard every year. “They say (when they were) freshmen there wasn’t as much gray.”

But he’s pushing forward through the pain.

“I’ve just moved through the itchy stage,” Anderson said. “Now my face is accepting it.”