WSEE Meteorologist Ray Petelin is pretty much already the funniest person on the local news, and now we can add stand-up guy for the community as well. Ray will be participating, starting today, in the Mustaches 4 Kids program.

For the next 4 weeks, Ray will be growing, as best he can, a stache that you can help sponsor. All proceeds from the event will go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. We can’t think of a better charity.

I caught up with Ray via email and asked him about the event.

ErieBlogs: Tell me about how you got involved with Mustaches for Kids, and the Make-A-Wish foundation.

Ray: Sean Morphy, part of the talented WSEE promotions team, came across a national organization called Mustaches For Kids. He decided to start an Erie chapter of the group. Since the Erie chapter of Mustaches For Kids had roots at the station, several members of our staff, mainly off air folks, decided to get involved. Personally, I will do just about anything to help someone out, that is why I got involved. Since it makes a child’s wish come true, that makes it all the better. If someone can get a laugh out of it, that is a bonus too. I think many laughs will be had at my expense. I am just hoping those laughs can turn into money for Make-A-Wish.

We chose Make-A-Wish because it gives kids that are dealing with unimaginable health issues a chance to live out one of their dreams, and set those issues aside, and be a kid again.

EB: Have you every grown a mustache before?

Ray: No. I think most 8th graders could probably grow a better mustache than me. We’ll have to wait and see how it turns out. I wish I could grow a nice handlebar, but I am just hoping I can grow something you will be able to see on tv.

EB: Do you have a particular style that you’ll be going for? The Handlebar? The Dali?

Ray: Actually there are strict rules that it has to be a mustache from one side of the mouth to the other. That is it. The national organization did not want it to become “Creative Facial Hair For Kids”. Although, if I could grow one of those “evil mastermind” mustaches that I could twist while I plot my next evil plan… I would.

EB: How will you be keeping people up to date on your progress? Web? TV?

Ray: Every Wednesday through the campaign will be a “check point”. We will monitor the progress on air at these times on Mornings Live (weekdays 6am-7am), but I am sure it will get mentioned more than that. Also, a website for the Erie chapter has been created so anyone can monitor our mustaches at any time. The site is m4kerie.org. We even have a facebook group called “Moustaches 4 Kids“.

Thanks, Ray. Best of luck with the stache and we’ll keep everyone posted on your progress. Thanks for doing this for the kids!