Pittsburgh Penguins fans raised more than $71,000 for the Mario Lemieux Foundation by participating in the team’s fifth annual “Beard-A-Thon” campaign presented by SUPERCUTS. Over 900 fans officially registered to grow playoff beards and raised $71,904 in donations to date.

“Pittsburgh Penguins fans are known not only for their passion – but also for their compassion,” said Penguins Vice President of Marketing James Santilli. “Their participation in the Penguins Beard-A-Thon campaign not only shows their support for our team – but also for an incredible cause in the Mario Lemieux Foundation. We are fortunate to have such generous fans.”

“This is the fifth consecutive year the Mario Lemieux Foundation has had the opportunity to partner with the Penguins on this outstanding fundraiser,” said Tom Grealish, president of the foundation. “Donations received through this campaign will support cancer research and patient care initiatives, as well as Austin's Playroom Project. The Lemieux Foundation thanks the Penguins organization and all the beard growers who supported Mario’s charity during the playoffs.”

The Beard-A-Thon encouraged fans to “grow one for the team” for the duration of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and have their friends, family and business associates pledge them. Fans who were unable or unwilling to grow a playoff beard could also pledge their favorite NHL player or build a virtual playoff beard on the website.

Ten of the sixteen teams competing in the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs participated in this year’s Beard-A-Thon campaign and have raised over $317,000 to date for local team charities.

For more information, visit www.beardathon.com/penguins.