Year of the Beard Continues Its Growth with Guest Bartending Event Friday, August...

Year of the Beard Continues Its Growth with Guest Bartending Event Friday,
August 28

CLEVELAND, Aug. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Andy Bindernagel has not shaved his beard
in seven months and 27 days. The result, thus far, is untrimmed, untamed and
in the name of charity. He's hoping his venture into "beardtending" Friday
August 28(th) at Forti's in downtown Cleveland (746 Prospect Ave.) will
inspire people to donate money for the Domestic Violence Center of greater
Cleveland.

"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."

Friday's event is part of a year long fundraising drive for the Domestic
Violence Center Andy dubbed, "Year of the Beard." To chronicle his progress
and keep beard fans updated, he set up a website www.yearofthebeard.com.
Designer t-shirts proclaiming his cause quickly followed (and are still
available on the site) as momentum behind his cause grew.

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.

CONTACT: Andy Bindernagel of Year of the Beard, +1-216-571-3570,
andy@yearofthebeard.com

SOURCE YearOfTheBeard.com