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 “How come the answer is always no?” That’s a question my kids ask a lot. They say I’m strict because I’m always saying no. But in reality, I tell them no only after they push the boundaries with their requests or, I admit, when I’m just in a bad mood. “Dad, can we ride our bikes in the street?” “No.” “Can we have a sleep-over? Can we watch ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’? Can we make a bucket of popcorn?” “No, No, No.” But when my 10-year-old daughter, Danielle, asked if she could cut her hair and donate it to Locks of Love, I wasn’t so quick with my strict dad response. “What’s Locks for Love?” “Um, it’s called Locks of Love, Dad,” Danielle said.  Locks of Love is a nonprofit organization based in Florida that collects donated hair to create hairpieces for disadvantaged children who have experienced hair loss from alopecia, cancer treatments, burns or other causes.“I think it’s a good thing, because people with cancer need hair,” Danielle said. “And I also wanted to see what my hair would look like short.” That’s the rub. Danielle was practically bald until her second birthday. But once her hair started growing, it didn’t stop. We let it grow and grow. So for most of her life, she’s had long auburn hair that flowed to her waist. Seeing her with short hair would be a shock. But how could I say no to something called Locks of Love? So, with our blessing, Danielle and her good friend Tyler Nelson decided to donate their hair for charity. They enlisted the help of our neighborhood friend and hair stylist, Gay Echaves, of Salon Chante in Fullerton.  “I think it’s a good opportunity for kids to give,” she says. After it was over, I asked Danielle and Tyler about their experience. They both said they were scared at first. “I was used to playing with my hair,” Danielle says. “When I got home, I said, ‘Where’s my hair?’” Well, it’s literally in a ziplock bag headed for Florida. Locks of Love was established as a nonprofit in 1997, says Lauren Kukkamaa, the charity’s communications director. It was largely through the impetus of a woman named Madonna Coffman. Coffman and her daughter both suffered from alopecia, an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss in women and men. Some 11 years later, they now have thousands of donors and have created more than 2,000 hairpieces, Kukkamaa says. “We are absolutely thrilled to be part of a charity where children are helping other children,” Kukkamaa adds. “It really is an awesome thing. For them, it’s giving of themselves. It’s truly something they can do despite their age or economic status.” And, of course, it’s something they can do to make their dad proud. For those interested in donating either their hair or money to Locks of Love, go to locksoflove.org. Tony Dodero is a longtime Orange County journalist and former editor of the Daily Pilot. Contact him at doderocommunications.com. |
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RSS SubscribeReaders Feedback:
What a great article about parenting and giving out information so that other's know how to donate also. Like the sentence too how children can donate something of them selves. Great article
| Comment at 8/3/2009 |
An excellent article to share with your children on how they can share of themselves with others less fortunate.
| Comment at 8/3/2009 |
that's awesome! i'm going to show this to clara
| Comment at 8/3/2009 |
I'm touched by the loving thoughts of a child who would be willing to donate their own hair to help someone who needs their hair to help them feel alive. I've been on the receiving end because I am a cancer survier.
| Comment at 8/3/2009 |
Danielle and Tyler have gone through fear to help others. They are gifted.
| Comment at 8/4/2009 |
I think the problem with children these days is not that parents are so quick to say no but rather to easy to say yes. There is often too little inquiry made in pursuit of the truth and clarity that kids by virtue of permission can find themselves in situations that they are not equipped to handle or should have avoided altogether. So I commend Mr. Todero for being an active listener and then applying good sense. I am also very proud of his daughter Danielle and her friend Tyler Nelson. What shining examples of how good parenting can manifest into children making caring, thoughtful, and good decisions. Isn't that the point for each us as we endeavor to raise children.
| Comment at 8/4/2009 |
This is a great article Tony, very inspiring. We need to teach our kids how much we can give not how much we can receive. Love it!
| Comment at 8/5/2009 |
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