Locks of Love

Do you have long hair? Maybe even short hair that you want to grow out? How about using your hair or your dollars to help support a life? If you do, you have come to the right place!

Locks of Love is a great non-profit organization that “makes hairpieces for financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis”(www.locksoflove.org).  Locks of Love uses real hair in their hairpieces because real hair has the highest quality at the least cost.

Your donation can help a life because these children’s self-esteem is restored with a hairpiece for them to wear. When you help a child by donating your hair you give courage to these young children to stay focused on their dreams instead of their baldness. Something no child should have to worry about.

In order to donate your hair you must:

1. Donate a minimum of 10 inches (layered hair is acceptable)
2. Your hair must be in a ponytail or braid before it is cut
3. Your hair must be clean and completely dry before it is mailed in
4. Your ponytail or braid needs to be placed inside of a plastic bag, and then inside of a padded envelope
5. Mail all donations to:
                                        Locks of Love
                                        234 Southern Blvd
                                        West Palm Beach, FL 33405-2701

When donating your hair you have two options. Option A- Cut and mail in your own hair or, Option B- go to a salon that supports Locks of Love. A salon that supports Locks of Love will mail in your donation for you.  Some of these salons will also cut your hair for free if you are donating.

   Here are just two salons in the Reno-Sparks area that are Locks of Love supporters:

• Fantastic Sam’s Hair
• Salon 2000

I donated my hair in December 2009 and it is something I am still very proud to say I did. I had long annoying hair that would get caught in everything and I wanted it gone. I knew I wanted to cut a lot off, so I started looking into Locks of Love.  I went to a salon in Elko, Nevada and they were glad to send my donation in for me.  As you can see in the picture of my donation day below, I donated 11 inches! Then, to ‘style’ my hair, the hairdresser cut another 3 inches. I am so glad I did it. My hair (2 years later) is just a few inches shorter than when I donated, so do not be afraid that you will have short hair forever.

It was a bit shocking at first, but SO worth it!

If you would like to be acknowledged for your generous donation you need to fill out the hair donation form (found at www.locksoflove.org), or write your name and e-mail address or mailing address on a full size separate sheet of paper. Make sure to include this piece of paper in your envelope.

Here is what that acknowledgement looks like.

If you are unable to donate your hair you can still help these children. You may purchase jewelry at the Locks of Love website by either clicking on the ‘Locks of Love’ image on my sidebar or going to www.locksoflove.org. Albertsons’ grocery store will also donate to Locks of Love when you use your Locks of Love Community Partners key tag. To receive a key tag please send your name and mailing address to volunteer@locksoflove.org.

Be selfless, donate your hair. It will grow back, you will help a child’s life, and you will always be glad you did it. I promise.

 

       *If you have further questions about requirements/guidelines for donating your hair you can visit www.locksoflove.org. *