Once again Mission police officers have stepped up to raise money for a Johnson County domestic abuse shelter.

Mission Police Chief Ben Hadley said 17 of the 28 officers participated in the No-Shave November challenge to recognize domestic violence awareness month. Each officer who participated was required to donate a minimum of $35 to SAFEHOME, the domestic abuse support group that runs the shelter in Johnson County. The police department raised more than $600.

During a check presentation this week, representatives of SAFEHOME said the shelter is running a capital campaign for expansion and part of that plan is to become the first domestic abuse shelter in Kansas to also provide shelter for pets. The prospect of leaving a pet behind can be a barrier to leaving an abusive situation, they said.

Hadley said officers will be allowed to keep the new growth until Dec. 2 when normal grooming rules go back into effect. Mission officers also donated last year.