NOT FOUND: locks of love1.jpgThe month of February is touted to be the month of love! Everywhere we went last month, we were surrounded by hearts of all sizes in pinks and reds and white. The poets say that love is a many splendored thing … It’s true, and I suppose it’s good that we have a month that reminds us about love. But is that all it is? Is it just about one day a year or a month-long experience? It shouldn’t be. Love is something that we should think on and practice every day of the year.

Love is more than a feeling or an idea. At its root, love is a giving. Not giving of things, necessarily – although giving things is a typical way that people express their love; but rather, it’s more a giving of yourself. Three ladies in our surrounding communities have recently joined the thousands of others that have literally given of themselves from all over the country by donating their hair to a non-profit organization called Locks of Love.

Jessica is 29 and the mother of three. She said she’s wanted to get her hair cut for a while, but was waiting because she hadn’t decided on the right style. As she was watching the news one day, she saw a 10-year-old girl talking about getting her hair cut and donating it to Locks of Love. That peaked Jessica’s curiosity and she did an Internet search on the organization. She gathered a lot of information and decided that this was really what she had been waiting for, she just didn’t know it. In her search, Jessica discovered that Locks of Love just donates to children 21 and under and that the donor has to have a minimum of 10” cut off. She also discovered that salons that participate typically display a Locks of Love sticker in their window, and that the salon handles all aspects of the donation for you. Jessica donated 12” of hair. She stated that she really likes her shorter style, but that if she decides to grow her hair out again, she would definitely be willing to donate it when she gets it cut.

16-year-old Courtney said that being able to donate hair to Locks of Love is something she believes is pretty much common knowledge these days, and that most salons participate in the program. She grew her hair out for three years, at first just because she wanted to have long hair. At some point, though, she decided that she really wanted to be able to give to the kids that Locks of Love sponsors. Like Jessica, she had 12” cut off and donated at her local salon. Courtney says that she plans to keep growing her hair and giving it. She’s making a difference in the lives of young people who aren’t able to grow hair on their own for whatever reason.

NOT FOUND: locks of love2.jpgJosie, who is just 6 years old, went along with her dad when he went to get his hair cut. While waiting, she decided that she wanted to get her hair cut, too. When she climbed into the salon chair, the stylist asked her if she would like to donate her hair to Locks of Love. Josie didn’t fully understand what the lady was talking about, but she did agree to donate the more than 12” of hair that she had cut. When Josie’s dad stepped up to the counter to pay for their haircuts, he was advised that as a way of saying thank you for the donation, Josie’s hair cut was provided complimentary by the salon. Once they were back in their vehicle, Josie’s dad fully explained what she had just done. How she had helped make it possible for other kids able to have a very special hair piece made just for them. When asked what she thought about that, the six-year-old excitedly exclaimed, “I was very happy! It made me happy to know I was helping another kid. I’m going to grow my hair out so I can do it again!” Josie has an older sister who now wants to get her hair cut so she, too, can donate it. Their mom is considering becoming a donor as well.

According to Locks of Love’s web site, 80% of all of their donations are made by children that have a desire to help other children. Locks of Love sponsors children who are at a financial disadvantage and have long-term hair loss that results from any medical diagnosis. Their web site has a lot of very interesting and informative information. Men, women and children are welcome to donate; and all hair types and colors (except for “bleached” hair) can be donated. For more information, visit them online at www.locksoflove.org.

A woman’s splendor has been said to be her hair, so perhaps the poets were on to something there. Love. It is a many splendored thing, indeed! Love the people that are around you by giving of yourself throughout the year.