By Laura Mazur
Community Post

At Minster Middle School's recent talent show, four students showed a little more than talent. They showed their love - with a lot of hair.

More than $150 was raised by students paying for chances at cutting the hair of Hannah and Gabrielle Barga, Katie Thieman and Elizabeth Baker. Funds from the chances went to Relay for Life and the chopped pigtails went to Locks for Love, a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children.

Some girls, like Thieman, a fifth-grader, took part in the lock cutting because she actually did want it cut off, and this seemed like a good time to her. Gabrielle Barga also did it because, "It was for a good cause."

Others, like Hannah Barga and Baker did it because of family members.

"It was my mom's idea. It was just a good idea because I wanted to get my hair cut and this way I'm not wasting it," said Barga.

"My sister (gave to Locks of Love). It'll be good to have my hair cut off," said Baker.

Each girl had two different "barbers" during the talent show, each student cutting off a pigtail measuring at 10 inches to be bagged for sending to Locks of Love.

Diane Roessner, of Hair Performers in New Bremen, gave the girls a discount on "fixing" their locks at the conclusion of the talent show, which also included singing, dancing and playing of music.

Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss. The organization meets a unique need for children by using donated hair to create high quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. The prostheses provided help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence. The children receive hair prostheses free of charge or on a sliding scale, based on financial need.

Guidelines for donating to Locks of Love:
*Hair that is colored or permed is acceptable.
*Hair cut years ago is usable if it has been stored in a ponytail or braid.
*Hair that has been bleached (usually this refers to highlighted hair) is not usable. If unsure, ask a stylist.
*Hair that is swept off of the floor is not usable.
*Hair that is shaved off and not in a ponytail or braid is not usable.
*Layered hair is acceptable if the longest layer is 10 inches.
*Layered hair may be divided into multiple ponytails.
*Curly hair may be pulled straight to measure the minimum 10 inches.
*Hair that is 6-10 inches in length will be accepted and sold at fair market value to offset the manufacturing costs.
*Gray hair will be accepted and sold at fair market value to offset the manufacturing costs.
*Hair is needed from men and women, young and old, all colors and races.
*There is no maximum length anyone can donate.
*It is estimated that 80 percent of all donations come from children who wish to help other children.

How to donate:
*10 inches measured tip to tip is the minimum length needed for a hairpiece.
*Hair must be in a ponytail or braid before it is cut.
*Hair must be clean and completely dry before it is mailed in.
*Place the ponytail or braid inside of a plastic bag, and then inside of a padded envelope.
*Fill out the hair donation form, or write your name and address on a separate sheet of paper and include inside the envelope.
*All hair donations must be mailed to Locks of Love at: 2925 10th Avenue N, Suite 102, Lake Worth, Fla., 33461