‘Boys can do it, too’ - two brothers and mom donate hair
Published: January 12, 2005
Girls aren’t the only ones doing it.
It doesn’t cost anything, but it’s for a great cause. And as either of the Niwinski brothers will tell you, growing your hair out to donate it to Locks of Love is one of the easiest, most inexpensive things someone can do for people in need.
Michael, 14, and James, 16, of Langhorne, decided to grow their hair for Locks of Love as a response to an inspiring teacher, Mrs. Joan Schenkel, a ninth grade science teacher for Neshaminy Middle School.
She first became involved when her daughter wanted to cut her very long hair. Schenkel first heard about Locks of Love on Oprah, and her daughter Jaclyn’s first donation came at the young age of nine. Schenkel expects to make her fourth donation over six years toward the end of this summer.
The haircuts and hair donations took place at Attitudes Hair Studio at 101 East Maple Avenue in Langhorne, where haircuts and styles are free to those who donate at least 10 inches of hair to Locks of Love.
Receiving his haircut in the end of October, James donated 12 inches of his hair to be made into vacuum-fitted prosthetic hairpieces for young cancer patients and other children in medical need.
Michael had a bit of layering to his hair previously, so it took him a bit longer to grow enough to donate.
On Friday, January 7, he and his mother Ellen Niwinski each donated 10 inches. Ellen, James and Michael are considering doing it again.
Ellen said her main role was to provide the moral support for her youngest. “It’s a really neat adventure for us, but you know it’s for a good cause.”
After stylist Roxanne cut and styled Michael’s hair, everyone commented on how nice the new cut looked. Good spirited humor took over almost immediately.
“What do you think the kids will say at school when they see your hair?” asked the boys’ father, Jim Niwinski.
“I lost a fight with a lawnmower….” Michael said with a shy grin.
“At least you won’t sink when you’re in the pool now,” his dad quipped.
The two brothers had endured a lot during the time they spent growing their hair for this worthy cause.
No more would they suffer through the sweltering days of Boy Scout camp with their longer hair becoming entangled with bugs while the summer temperatures only made things worse.
No more would they receive playful bantering from other students who may not have understood the mission of Locks of Love.
Now Michael and James could enjoy the knowledge that they had sparked an interest within their peer groups and their teachers. James mentioned that a couple of his teachers at George School had wanted to donate their hair to Locks of Love, but currently did not have the proper length.
Another friend from their church’s Alpha program has decided to donate hair as well, saying, “Mike and James are the inspiration”.
“We hope to get Locks of Love going in the whole community,” James said. About a year and a half ago was when he decided to first become involved himself. If enough support is garnered, James may do a presentation at an assembly at George School, where he is a junior, announcing the facts about Locks of Love, and how just about anyone can be a donor.
It was the brothers’ hope that the hairpieces could be constructed in time for Valentine’s Day.
Locks of Love always seeks new donors to provide healthy ponytails of 10 inches or longer. All it takes to donate is a warm heart and a small commitment - and yes, boys can do it, too!
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