Meet Chris Boswell

What started as a small initiative to raise some money for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lynchburg has become one of the area’s largest fundraisers – collecting $575,000 in 30 days for multiple area charities.

Chris Boswell, co-founder of Mustaches for Kids Lynchburg, has become somewhat of a powerhouse fundraiser thanks to the community’s generosity each November.

The nonprofit, an offshoot of the original Richmond-based program, is a volunteer-run organization with the goal of raising money for local children’s charities while having fun growing mustaches. 

Boswell, a Martinsville native and VMI graduate, relocated to Lynchburg in 2000 for a job opportunity. Embracing the city's charm and creating friendships through golf, Boswell became ingrained in Lynchburg's social fabric.

In 2013, he brought the program to Lynchburg in hopes it could garner funding for the Boys and Girls Club of Lynchburg, of which he is a board member.

With the help of his friend Lanny Duncan and guidance from Ben Keefer, the program found its footing.

The first year in 2014 saw 32 participants raise $34,000.

“We thought that we had hung the moon,” he said.

With this achievement, Mustaches for Kids Lynchburg expanded its reach, welcoming additional charities onboard each year.

Year after year, the program's impact increased. From $58,000 in 2015 to $575,000 in 2023, the funds raised have helped grow and sustain many local children's charities.

“It’s successful because of word of mouth, growers and getting out and it's fun,” he said. “We make it a very fun event. We have events every week.”

He says the key to its success is its lighthearted approach. Men from all walks of life, ranging from 25 to 50 years old, join for a month-long fundraising spree.

“We've tapped the hardest demographic to raise money and that's males from 25 to 50. They're growing their careers, raising families, and doing all these things so they don't want to sit on boards, they don't want to take up an insane amount of time out of their life,” Boswell said. “But if you give them a finite 30 days to mess around and grow stupid looking moustache, act funny, have a few beers with some buddies and then it's over, then they feel like they've done a good job.”

Looking ahead, Boswell has a target of $600,000 and wants broader media coverage.

“From what I've seen, I know it's had an impact,” he said. “When you're getting $30,000 and $40,000 in December for your board growing mustaches, I think it's a pretty significant number.”