By Evelyn Barge
Living Assistant
Ten inches of hair is all it takes to help a child suffering from long-term medical hair loss regain confidence and self-esteem.
Junior Tara Emerson discovered that the Locks of Love motto, “Lengthening Smiles 10 Inches at a Time,” was really true when she established an event at Pepperdine last year to benefit the charity organization.
Emerson said she decided to organize the fund-raiser when two friends from her hometown cut their hair for Locks of Love. At first, she only intended to donate her own hair, but then she realized it was something the whole community could be involved in.
“Our goal was to have 10 people cut their hair, but God really took the event and made it huge,” Emerson said. “We ended up having 30 women donate their hair last year. We had an overwhelming amount of volunteers. We had to begin turning people away and many of them ended up donating their hair at a separate time.”
The Second Annual Locks of Love benefit, sponsored by Dorm 3, Dewey and Beta dorms, began March 29 and runs through today.
“After the success of last year’s benefit, I knew we could have another successful run this year,” Emerson said.
The weeklong event is full of activities for those wishing to donate their time, their money or their hair to Locks of Love.
The non-profit organization provides custom-made, vacuum-fitted hairpieces to children who have lost their hair because of medical conditions or treatments such as chemotherapy.
The hairpieces, which are made entirely from donated human hair, allow children the freedom to do everything from swimming to gymnastics.
Freshman Micki Erickson discovered firsthand how beneficial support from Locks of Love could be. While her sister Gabrie suffered with adrenal cortical carcinoma, a rare form of cancer, she received a hairpiece from the organization.
“Around close family and friends she really didn’t care whether she had it on or not,” Erickson said. “But when we went out it was a comfort to her to know that no one would look at her any differently.”
Erickson encouraged potential donors to “remember that your hair will always grow back.” She also suggested that those who are not prepared to cut their hair should consider other ways of contributing to Locks of Love.
During the benefit, donors with 10 inches of hair or more will visit the Salon at Malibu Creek where they will receive a free haircut and styling.
In addition to hair donations, Locks of Love also needs monetary support in making the hairpieces. “To help raise money, volunteers who don’t have 10 inches of hair to donate will wear costume wigs all week and find supporters to sponsor them for the effort,” explained Emerson.
An information table will also be set up in the cafeteria all week long to further support the fundraising effort. Volunteers at the table will collect donations and provide information to those with questions about donating their hair or volunteering to wear a wig.
Freshman Ashleigh Powalski decided that donating her hair to Locks of Love was an easy way to help a worthy organization.
“One of my best friends just got over cancer and I know others who still have it,” Powalski said. “I’m really scared about cutting my hair but I know that I want to do anything I can to help.”
Freshman Christina Cochran also decided to donate her hair during the weeklong event.
“I decided it was really the least I could do to support a worthy cause,” she said.
Those who wish to donate their hair or raise monetary support by wearing a costume wig can contact Tara Emerson, event director, at ext. 3095. For more information on Locks of Love, visit www.locksoflove.org.
Submitted April 1, 2004