Girl gives special gift, cuts hair to honor coach
Published: December 31, 2004
When 12-year-old Courtney Terrier found out her middle school cross country coach, Joyce Olsen was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year, she said she knew she wanted to do something to show her support. Courtney had been growing her hair since the third grade, and wanted to cut it eventually, and donate it to Locks of Love, so she figured this was her perfect opportunity.
On Christmas Eve, Courtney cut off her long blond locks as a special Christmas present and in honor of Olsen, at the Hair Den in Thomaston. The cutting of her hair, however, is only the most recent of this seventh grader’s charitable accomplishments.
It began in 2001 while Courtney was in the third grade getting sponsors for Jump Rope For Heart, the annual fundraiser where elementary school students jump rope and raise money for the fight against heart disease and stroke. Jump Rope For Heart promotes the value of physical activity to these children, while also giving them a chance to contribute to others. Children who participate in the fundraiser learn about heart disease and stroke, the lifelong benefits of physical activity and the importance of living a heart-healthy lifestyle.
One of then 8-year-old Courtney’s friends had recently been diagnosed with leukemia. Courtney said she kept him in mind while raising money for her Jump Rope For Heart event, and completed her jump roping in his honor. In 2002, her grandfather died of a heart attack so she jumped in his memory, in 2003 she jumped rope in honor of her uncle Allan Olivero, a volunteer at Thomaston Volunteer Fire Department, who was battling his own heart problems, and in 2004 she jumped in memory of teacher Marc Damelio, who died of liver failure in December 2003.
Courtney said she is upset she will not be able to do Jump Rope for Heart in high school this year, but in her four years of jumping she was able to raise $2,000 total. Courtney said she wanted to do it to honor those in her life and help cure hearts. Locks of Love has been a popular charity among young Thomaston girls this year, at least four youngsters have also donated their long hair to Locks of Love this year in honor of someone they know or just to support the cause.
Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantagd children suffering from long-term medical condition hair loss. Locks to Love accepts 10 inches minimum hair length (tip to tip), not wigs, falls, or synthetic hair. They ask doners to bundle hair in ponytail or braid. Hair needs to be clean, dry, placed in a plastic bag, and then padded envelope. Locks of Love needs hair from men and women, young and old, all colors and races. Hair may be colored or permed, but not bleached or chemically damaged. Hair swept off the floor is not usable. Hair cut years ago is usable if it has been stored in a ponytail or braid. Hair that is short, gray, or unsuitable for children will be separated from the ponytails and sold at fair market value to offset the cost of manufacturing. Curly hair may be pulled straight to measure the minimum 10 inches. The majority of all hair donated comes from children who wish to help other children. Layered hair may be divided into multiple ponytails for donation. Please note: Anyone can cut your hair as long as the above guidelines are followed. For more information please visit www.locksoflove.org.
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