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Growing their hair long – for a cause

County News

Wednesday, 06 October 2010 18:04

By Fallan Patterson
Staff Writer
Michigan Avenue Elementary in St. Cloud Friday kicked off an event for students, parents and other community members to donate their hair to an organization that makes wigs for children with illnesses and diseases that cause them to lose their hair.
Sharon Busalacchi, the fifth-grade teacher for gifted students at Michigan Avenue Elementary School in St. Cloud, had a discussion with her students about what makes people different and they decided to make Wigs for Kids a pet cause.
“I thought (this organization) would be better for my students because they would be helping other kids,” Busalacchi said. “I wanted them to have some compassion for these kids and actually do something for them.”
Wigs for Kids hairpieces are designed based on a mold of a child’s head for a secure fit that allows the child to swim, do gymnastics and play soccer, for example, without fear that the wig will fall off. The organization uses donated human hair so the wigs mimic real hair.
Busalacchi and her daughter grew their hair out and donated it to the organization a few years ago and she said she is pleased her students are interested in pursuing the schoolwide campaign.
“They ran with it. They wanted to go big and spread it as far as it will go,” Busalacchi said. “A lot of gifted kids tend to be more socially conscience.”
Even some boys are interested in growing their hair out for eventual donating.
Letters are going home to explain the project and to recruit parents, neighbors and other community members to contribute their locks to this cause.
“I just love community service projects,” Principal Bettye Hobbs said. “It’s important for them. Our children are sensitive to others’ needs.”
Participants will be responsible for caring for their hair and keeping it healthy until Ponytail Day, May 11, when local hairdressers will chop off ponytails and send them to Wigs for Kids.
According to the organization’s website, participants need to grow at least 12 inches of hair to donate and it takes 20 to 30 ponytails to make one hairpiece.
“It’s why we wanted to kick it off now so (participants) can grow (their hair) a few more inches,” Busalacchi said.
Staff members at the school are getting on board with the event as well.
“You have to lead by example,” Pam Strickland, guidance counselor, said.
Cherie O’Brien, owner of Cherie’s Design Team, a salon in St. Cloud, is the only Wigs for Kids liaison in Osceola County. She said she gets approximately three people – men, women or children – a month who donate their hair for this cause. Several young girls who have grown their hair out for the organization have come to the salon in the past.
“It’s amazing how these children are compassionate enough to contribute to it,” O'Brien said.
O'Brien said the organization accepts only healthy hair and now accepts chemically treated hair in good condition. Participants should keep their hair well conditioned, use a mild shampoo and have it trimmed on a regular basis before having it cut for donation.
To participate or contribute to the event, contact Pam Strickland or Sharon Busalacchi at Michigan Avenue Elementary School at 407-891-3140.