Pat & Sharon O'Toole

Jackie, Siobhan and braid
The Hair Loft
Craig, Colorado

Siobhan recently decided that sitting still to get her hair braided before the school bus arrives at 7:10 a.m. is too much sitting. Her mom, Meghan, agreed. When I took Siobhan into Jackie Roberts in the Hair Loft in Craig, Colorado for a haircut, Jackie took one look at her long braid and said, "I think this is long enough to donate to Locks of Love."

Locks of Love (www.locksoflove.org) is an organization that collects donated hair and turns it into hairpieces and wigs for people under 21 who have lost their hair. Their web site states:

"MISSION & VISION

Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. We meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics.

Our mission is to return a sense of self, confidence and normalcy to children suffering from hair loss by utilizing donated ponytails to provide the highest quality hair prosthetics to financially disadvantaged children."

One of Siobhan's second grade classmates is suffering from cancer, and, with Hannah in mind, Siobhan immediately agreed that she would like to donate her hair. We called her Mom and Dad, who agreed. Here are photos of Siobhan's transformation.

Jackie cutting Siobhan's braid

Locks of Love

Siobhan's new 'do
photos by Sharon O'Toole

GUIDELINES FOR ACCEPTABLE DONATIONS

* Hair that is colored or permed is acceptable.
* Hair cut years ago is usable if it has been stored in a ponytail or braid.
* Hair that has been bleached (usually this refers to highlighted hair) is not usable. If unsure, ask your stylist. We are not able to accept bleached hair due to a chemical reaction that occurs during the manufacturing process. **If the hair was bleached years ago and has completely grown out it is fine to donate.
* Hair that is swept off of the floor is not usable because it is not bundled in a ponytail or braid.
* Hair that is shaved off and not in a ponytail or braid is not usable. If shaving your head, first divide hair into multiple ponytails to cut off.
* We cannot accept dreadlocks. Our manufacturer is not able to use them in our children’s hairpieces. We also cannot accept wigs, falls, hair extensions or synthetic hair.
* Layered hair is acceptable if the longest layer is 10 inches.
* Layered hair may be divided into multiple ponytails.

* Curly hair may be pulled straight to measure the minimum 10 inches.
* 10 inches measured tip to tip is the minimum length needed for a hairpiece.
* Printable Guidelines (PDF)

Please Note:
* Shorter hair will be separated from the ponytails and sold to offset the manufacturing costs. Although the shorter hair cannot be used in the hairpieces, it still greatly helps to reduce costs.
* Gray hair will be accepted and sold to offset the manufacturing costs.
* Colored hair is not usable if it is colored over bleached hair.