Locks of Love

Have you ever heard of this organization? It's been around since 1997. Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under the age of 18 who suffer from medical conditions that lead to long term hair loss. Most of the children that LOL helps have alopecia areata, which has no known cure. These children are unable to grow hair.

Here is their website: http://www.locksoflove.org/index.php

Over 2,000 hair donations are received through the mail each week and 80% of their hair donors are children. It takes 10 or more donations to make a completed hairpiece, so each donation is important. Also, most salons, when cutting hair for LOL donations, provide the haircut at no charge.

Today, my little Kaley donated her hair to Locks of Love. The stylist cut off 10" (the minimum required by LOL) and gave my sweet girl a precious new hairstyle.

I would like to encourage any of you with long hair - who might be contemplating a new style, to consider donating your hair to this wonderful organization. It's a great way to help others and it doesn't cost a dime.

This is before the haircut.

Here's the cut.....

And the ponytail...

She is precious and did a wonderful thing, you should be very proud of her. I love her new style, it makes those beautiful eyes even more beautiful!

My, what a precious thing for a precious little sweetie pie to do Carla! I admire you for your parenting wisdom and your giving attitude which will instill in your wonderful children the love of God which is so outwardly shown by you to others.

TC...

That's terrific! My stylist sends envelopes of ponytails to Locks of Love on a regular basis. When I got my locks shortened that first time, he put my 'tail in the envelope. It's an awesome organization!

She looks great! I hope she always remembers the way it makes her feel to contribute. I think doing this is a great introduction to a charitable life.

My daughter is growing her hair out for this now. She came up with the idea all on her own when a friend told her about doing it. Her beautiful red hair is almost to the middle of her back now, but she wants to cut it to her shoulders so she has a while.

One thing to add is that if you have a little money to spare, cash donations are wonderful too. They get lots of hair in every year, but there is a very high cost associated with manufacturing the wigs for the children so that they look natural.

Carla, I started out growing my hair for Locks of Love. My hair is 23 inches long, probably longer now. One thing, there are some stylists that will cut your hair for free and donate, others will charge you for your hair cut and style, so I would suggest shopping around.

Did anyone see the whole family on Montel yesterday that had all their hair done for Locks of Love? Yes, it is a tremendously wonderful organization. When I tell stylists I am growing mine for LOL, they get excited because there are not many people with gray hair as long as mine. (I chalk it up to my daily vitamins, ha, ha). I've never dyed my hair and I'm told all the time that I have very healthy hair.

Now that I've grown it so long, I'm trying to muster up the courage to cut it off. It has taken about 3 years to get it this long. DH loves it, it can be a pain to take care of...LOL.

Thanks for mentioning this Carla, Happy Day. Kathy Way to go Kaley!!! :)

Yay Kaley! A great gift to give someone! Ya done good!

Hmmm...I was gonna cut mine before cold weather really sets in but now maybe I better just let it grow some more? Wonder if LOL will take hillbilly hair?

Hair stores lots of things, but I don't know about hillbilly. Maybe some little kid will get your locks and start speaking with that NC drawl.

Shoe, they will take any kind of hair :) Some hair stylists won't cut it unless they can cut 12 inches, so you just need to check around. It also seems that if you go on www.locksoflove.org they have a listing of the hairdressers that do it in your area. I will double check on that website, but I think it's correct. :) K

Hehehe...*grin

Just comb the 'mater seeds out first, Shoe. It's not called 'Vines of Love'. LOL!

What if your hair has split ends? Should you allow an extra inch or so so that can be trimmed off? (My hair isn't long enough, but I have a tendency to get split ends. I think it's the dry climate.)

And I don't think the hairdressers do the "tangle".....

That link is correct and I saw most were 10". :)

My DH donated his hair just last November. I have no idea how long it was, went down to his butt, it's curly so stretched it was even longer ! . He hadn't had it cut (other than trimmed) since he got out of the Navy in 93. He originally got the idea when his mom was diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo treatment, fortunately she did well and while her hair thinned, she didn't lose it all. He decided to go ahead and do it anyway, didn't even tell me, showed up at home one day with no hair ! My sister donated last year also, she had hair down to her knees and had it cut to her shoulders . Wonderful program, I should cut mine, it's plenty long enough but I look terrible with short hair, I just can't bring myself to do it. :(