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09-12-2018 03:25 PM - edited 09-12-2018 03:49 PM
with big hearts 8)
They're a must-SEA! Burly, bearded guys dress up as MERMEN for hilarious charity calendar that sees them posing topless with an array of colorful tails
MailOnline PUBLISHED: 11:55 EDT, 12 September 2018 | UPDATED: 13:53 EDT, 12 September 2018
A group of males have dressed up as mermen for the second year in a row in a calendar shoot, but the reason might not be for what you think.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Beard and Moustache Club in Canada raised almost $250,000 last year when a group men sporting facial hair decided to wear fishtails and scales.
Now the bearded men are back for a second round and this time plan to donate all proceeds to the Violence Prevention Newfoundland and Labrador, an organization which aims to reduce violence for vulnerable populations.
Vulnerable populations targeted by the intended charity include women, children and those with disabilities.
The funding will help with education, advocacy and support for those groups who are impacted by violence.
Group founder Hasan Hal told the HuffPost why the bearded men decided to release a second calendar after the success of last year's edition.
'After last year's calendar went viral, we knew we found the perfect organization and project to support this year,' he said.
The group, entitled the MerB'ys, first came up with its name because it combined the term 'mermen' with 'b'y', which is a Newfoundland gender-neutral word for 'buddy'.
What's required to become a member of the fishtail-wearing group? You must have facial hair and a passion for giving back to charity.
'This calendar is really an opportunity to take a traditionally accepted idea of what masculinity looks like ― big and bearded, for instance ― and show that masculinity is actually a beautiful spectrum,' he said.
'Men can be gentle, affectionate, whimsical and loving.'
This year, Hasan said the calendar includes transgender men and men of all different races to incorporate diversity.
'What most people don't realize is that being selected to be a merb'y has nothing to do with your physical appearance or amount of facial hair you have,' Hasan said.
The selection process was all about what the men wrote in their application.
'It's really the beard on the inside that matters,' Hasan said.
After raising almost $250,000 last year, the proceeds were donated to the Spirit Horse Mental Health Program, which incorporates animal therapy to help people with mental and physical ailments.
09-12-2018 03:37 PM
"It's really the beard on the inside that matters". I love that.
09-12-2018 03:41 PM
Great story! Even better pictures! LOL I hate beards, but love what these guys are doing.
09-12-2018 03:59 PM
That guy in the cobalt blue tail looks just like my son, I know he would definitely pose for something like that.
09-12-2018 04:07 PM
I’ve never seen anything humorous about men dressing as women for laughs. Nice this is for a good cause. Hope they raise a lot of money. Just a shame they couldn’t find a more manly...or sexier...way of doing it.
09-12-2018 04:18 PM
What a bunch of sweeties!
Lord bless 'em.
09-12-2018 04:27 PM
I love it!!!!
09-12-2018 05:30 PM
It is so good to see them participating with a good-natured smile!
09-12-2018 05:41 PM - edited 09-12-2018 05:42 PM
Chunky bearded mermaids with a good attitude supporting mentel issues with animal therapy....treasures from the sea!
09-13-2018 11:50 AM
MMMmmmmm MerMen - love it!
Need to find one these calendars for my bedroom as I well, need to know the date any given day of the week, month, year!!!!!!!!!!!!
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