Sea Isle City police officers will continue their unshaven appearance through December for a good cause. Photo is from 2018 No Shave November fundraising drive. (Courtesy Sea Isle City Police Department)
By Maddy Vitale
When Sea Isle City Police Chief Tom McQuillen learned that Rich Burrows, a married father of two, was suffering from brain cancer, he immediately asked the officers if they would like to donate funds from “No-Shave November” to the family.
“I presented it to the guys, and they unanimously endorsed the idea. They agreed that was the family we wanted to support this year,” McQuillen said.
Burrows, 38, and his wife, Jamie, of Dennis Township, were high school sweethearts. They have two young children, Dailey and Brody.
“The last thing we want them to worry about is finances,” McQuillen said. “They are struggling with the medical treatment. We wanted to do whatever small part we could to alleviate some of their worries.”
Most of the members of the police department participated in “No-Shave November.” They raised $1,450 to donate to the Burrows family. The check will be presented to the family in the near future, McQuillen said.
This is not the first time Sea Isle police officers have raised funds to help a family. McQuillen said the department has given to other families in the past. He noted the Burrows family was especially important.
“We’ve done this for the last few years. We’ve contributed to different people,” he said. “But when you find someone who is battling cancer, you want to do something for him and his family. You want to give back to a person in need.” 
Sea Isle City police officers with Chief Tom McQuillen (second from left) pose Friday for a picture before shaving. (Courtesy Sea Isle City Police Department)
