By Kathy L. Collins
Donations come in all shapes and sizes. One of the most personal donations is the gift of hair to Locks of Love. Recently, three generations of a family donated 39 inches of hair. Janice Jimenez of Brandon, her daughter, Toni Cruz and granddaughter, Mackenzie Hudson of Ruskin all donated their hair.
Jimenez said, “I always wanted to do this but until recently Locks of Love would not take color treated hair. I was so excited to learn that they had changed their policy. I told Toni I was going to do it, and she suggested that we all three do it together.”
What makes this donation even more special is the fact that this was three year old Mackenzie’s first haircut. Jiminez added, “We would do it again. In fact, we decided to see how much our hair grows in one year and do it again in November.”
The three got their hair cut at The LOFT Hair and Nail Lounge located at 709 W. Lumsden Rd. in Brandon. Arlene Frisk, owner of The LOFT and a big supporter of Locks of Love said, “If people are willing to cut at least 10 inches of hair, then we are happy to give them a complimentary haircut.” Frisk has personal experience with Locks of Love as her daughter, Kat and granddaughter have donated hair. “My granddaughter was only eight when she donated her hair,” added Frisk.
Penny Meeks, a Brandon resident and stylist with The LOFT said, “There is great satisfaction in giving someone hair so they can go through life with hair.” Jessie Bremier also with The LOFT recounted a story of donating her hair when she was 16 years old. “We a classmate who had died from leukemia. There were 20 of us who decided to do it memory of our lost classmate. I would encourage everyone with long hair to consider donating hair.”
Locks of Love, a non-profit located in West Palm Beach, Florida, provides high quality hair prosthetics to financially disadvantaged children suffering from long- term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.
If you would like more information on Locks of Love, please visit www.locksoflove.org or call 561-833-7332. For more information on The LOFT Hair and Nail Lounge, please visit www.theloft-lounge.com or call 685-7677.
