AP Photo/Orlin Wagner
READ MORE ABOUT:
In the O. Henry story “Gift of the Magi,” Della sells her hair in order to buy her husband a chain for his pocket watch. Her husband, Jim, sells his pocket watch to buy a set of brushes for Della. Although both characters wind up with something they no longer can use, both find that they’ve discovered the true meaning of Christmas. It’s a touching story of love and Christmas. You can make the sentiment of this story a reality.
Who Takes Hair Donations
Locks of Love is a nonprofit organization that donates hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children. Most children afflicted with hair loss suffer from alopecia areata, an illness with no known cause or cure. But Locks of Love provides hairpieces for children suffering from any medical condition that can cause baldness.
How Do You Donate?
From the Locks of Love Website:
- 10 inches measured tip to tip is the minimum length needed for a hairpiece.
- Hair must be in a ponytail or braid before it is cut.
- Hair must be clean and completely dry before it is mailed in.
- Place the ponytail or braid inside of a plastic bag, and then inside of a padded envelope. Fill out the hair donation form, or write your name and address on a separate sheet of paper and include inside the envelope.
All hair donations must be mailed to Locks of Love at:
234 Southern Blvd.
West Palm Beach, FL 33405
What are the Rules For Donating Hair?
Also from Locks of Love: - 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.
- Hair that is swept off of the floor is not usable.
- Hair that is shaved off and not in a ponytail or braid is not usable.
- 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.
- 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.
Hair and the Environment:
“This is all very nice and sweet,” you may say. “But what’s this have to do with the environment?”
Well, having short hair is better for the environment than having long hair. If you’ve got ten inches of hair to spare, then you probably use a lot of shampoo and conditioner. Some shampoos end up in our waterways and disrupt the ecosystems there. So if you are interested in cutting your hair for the sake of the environment, this might be a charitable way to dispose of it. It’s also technically a reuse for something that may otherwise end up in a landfill.
More on Hair:
DIY Organic Hair Remedies Hair Type: Dry & Dull
Organic Hair Remedies: Deep Conditioning Mask
Remove Pet Hair the Easy Way
Make your own scrubs and conditioners; upcycle old clothes and turn them into new accessories--learn how with Planet Green Fashion & Beauty.
-
- {}
