A free haircut for a good cause
Published: February 10, 2006
Some people cut their hair for “a new look.” Some do it to shorten the time it takes for them to get ready. This Sunday, Ritz Hair Studio of West Warwick is asking people to do it for the Locks for Love Foundation.
Locks of Love is a non-profit organization based in Lake Worth, Fla., that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children 18 years of age and younger who are suffering from long-term medical hair loss.
“This will be our second annual event to support the Locks of Love Foundation,” said Patty Medeiros, owner of the Ritz Hair Studio in West Warwick.
The whole thing started three years ago when Medeiros’s manager, Cindy Ferri’s, daughter, Jadine, was named Miss Teen West Warwick. A friend of Jadine’s donated her hair to the Locks for Love Foundation, Medeiros said. When Jadine learned of the foundation and its cause from her friend, Medeiros said, she thought it would be ideal for her platform, so she too cut off all her hair and donated it to Locks of Love.
Ever since that day, Medeiros said, she and the five stylists at her salon have been donating their time one day a year for the Locks of Love cause. Medeiros asks customers to come in from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to receive the free hair cut. The client must, Medeiros said, donate at least 10 inches or more of natural hair.
“You would be amazed at how many people are willing to do it,” Medeiros said. “Last year we were busy all afternoon. I think it is because people know it’s for such a good cause.”
The star of last year’s event, Medeiros said, was a gentleman who donated his mother’s and his sister’s hair. Both, Medeiros said, were deceased and had wanted to donate their hair. One was auburn and the other strawberry blonde.
Clients of Locks of Love receive the hair as a prosthetic that is one length. They are, Medeiros said, given the opportunity to take the prosthetic to their hair dresser to have them shape and style the hair in a way that compliments them.
“That is the great thing about the prosthetics, not only are they free to these kids, but it is beautiful hair that comes to them as one long length so they can cut it to fit their face,” Medeiros said.
At Ritz, there are five hair stylists and one barber that will be doing the cuts. There are manicurist and pedicurist stations that will also be open that afternoon if anyone is interested in having these services done as well, Medeiros said.
In the past, the event had been held during the summer, but this year it is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 12, in conjunction with the anniversary of Medeiros’s other business - Tan Tasia, which is located in the same building.
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