2nd Battle of the Beards fought for a good cause
By Amber Hewitt
The Island News
Although Geoff Cunningham claimed the Viking Helmet as the champion of the Helianthus Project’s 2025 Battle of the Beards at Brody’s Bar & Grill On Lady’s Island, he didn’t stop there. In a surprise display of generosity, Cunningham went on to shave his beard as well after raising an additional $400 in donations from the audience.
Together, the courageous beard sacrifices of Cunningham of Hail Logistics, Isaiah Martinez with Landscape Workshop, and Jesse Klausman with Jesse’s Tree Service, helped raise $8,000 in support of The Helianthus Project’s Esther’s House initiative, a safe house for child victims of human trafficking. The Helianthus Project has a goal to reach a $120,000 fundraising goal by June 2026.
The Helianthus Project is a Latina and Veteran founded 501 (c)(3) nonprofit that faces the evil of human trafficking head on and strives to give a voice to those whose voices were taken.
The second annual event was put on by The Helianthus Project and Power Washing Man (2024 contestant Connor Cave). The concept is the contestant who raises the most money winner of the event gets to keep their beard, but the losers have their beards shaved right then and there. But this is the second straight year the winner has shaved, as well, in return for additional donations.
In the 2024 event, John Hazel won over Cave and Tim Green with ServPro at the Fillin’ Station.
