- Maureen McCarthy
Participants and supporters of “Clip for a Cause,” a fund-raiser for a Michigan non-profit that makes human hair wigs for children with a variety of medical conditions, celebrated their success tonight at Salon Legato in Downtown Farmington.
Maureen McCarthy explained the party marked the end of a five-year journey, during which she, her friend Jennifer Franklin, and their daughters Lynn and Sophia, grew out their hair to donate to Children With Hairloss, based in South Rockwood. McCarthy said they wanted the end of their journey to be something special, so they worked with Salon Legato’s owner Diane Cassidy to plan a unique fund-raiser. From May 15-July 3, anyone who came in to donate hair would get a free cut. In addition, funds were raised through per-inch pledges.
In all, Salon Legato did 30 haircuts, for a total of 327 inches, and “Clip for a Cause” raised more than $1,500. Children with Hairloss volunteers at the event, Judy Osborne and her mother, Barbara Gilliam, pointed out their organization has just 5-7% overhead costs, and the vast majority of funds are used to provide services.
- Judy Osborne, left, and Barbara Gilliam show the t-shirt available to those who donate their hair, with a cash contribution.
That’s just one of the reasons McCarthy and Franklin chose Children with Hairloss. The organization provides all services free of charge. Each recipient receives a full wig, a more comfortable half-wig with a cap, hair care products, brushes and other accessories. Wigs are replaced – again, free of charge – each year, until the child turns 21.
Judy recounted several stories of children who were painfully shy because of their hair loss. One girl didn’t event want to come out of her mother’s car, until she received her wig. A teenager found her confidence returning with her new wig, and even felt comfortable saying “yes” when she was asked to her school’s homecoming dance.
“It’s amazing what a difference it makes in their lives,” Judy said.
The Farmington fundraiser was very welcome; the economy has donations lagging behind need. Currently, Children with Hairloss has a waiting list of recipients. To contribute or for more information, visit their website: childrenwithhairloss.us
The Enterprise 