Fourth-grader organizes cut-a-thon for Locks of Love
Published: June 21, 2005
Fourth-grader Olivia Till helped make about four wigs for Locks of Love without lopping off a single inch of her pale brown hair.
Olivia, who lives in Spotsylvania County, fell in love with Locks of Love last year when a friend convinced her to cut her hair for kids who had lost their hair.
Last summer, Olivia cut a foot off her hair and donated a ponytail to Locks of Love, a Florida-based organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children who suffer from long-term medical hair loss.
She felt proud of herself for the donation, but she wanted to do more.
Olivia went to the principal of her school, Courtland Elementary, and asked if she could organize a schoolwide cut-a-thon for the program.
Principal Sherri Steele liked the idea. She thought of her three young daughters and how much they enjoyed styling their hair and wearing pretty clips and barrettes.
Steele thought of the girls who couldn’t wear clips and decided that not only would she let Olivia use the school for the project, but that Steele would donate her own hair.
“I’ve never had short hair in my life, so this was a personal challenge for me,” Steele said.
She was happy to see so many of her staff and students willing to sacrifice their hair, too. Steele noted that for some, the challenge was cutting their hair. For others, it was hard to let it grow long enough to donate it.
Olivia chose June for the project, hoping she could grow her hair to the required 10-inch-length, the minimum amount Locks of Love will accept.
Her hair didn’t grow enough by the June 15 date set, but Olivia still contributed to the cause.
She and her mom, Stephanie, made up fliers and went on the radio to let people know about the event.
Stephanie Till also created elaborate cardboard picture frames for participants to put around their new ‘dos for the before and after pictures.
Olivia also got two hair stylists from Great Clips to come and cut hair at the school.
In all, Olivia’s event brought in 34 ponytails. It takes six to 10 ponytails to make one wig, according to the Locks of Love Web site.
Many of Courtland Elementary’s teachers and students showed up to get hair cuts.
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Emily was a bit scared when her turn came. She can’t ever remember having short hair.
But she thought the event was a win-win situation.
“I get two good things, a new haircut and a happy feeling,” Emily said.
After her hair was shorn, Emily leapt out of her chair and down the school stairs, where she stood in front of empty display cases, admiring her new look and talking on her cell phone.
“I just love it,” she said.
Steele said the next day at school, many of the staff and students sported their new hair proudly. Everyone admired each other’s new styles.
Steele also admired their spirit.
“It’s been a wonderful community experience for our children, and a great opportunity for them to do an unselfish act for other children,” Steele said. “This is a gift they can give to a child to restore their self-esteem.”
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