Lots of Love for Locks of Love

One by one they sat down and inch by inch the hair came off – a total of more than 500 inches that will end up going to Locks of Love.

The eighth annual Locks of Love Benefit at the Main Stylin’ Nook in Stanfield saw at least 49 people donate a minimum of 10 inches of hair on Saturday. At the end of the month, all the hair will be boxed up and sent to the nonprofit organization that provides hair pieces to disadvantaged children who suffer hair loss due to medical conditions – cancer, in many cases.

Most of those who donated hair on Saturday were women, but there were two long-haired boys who volunteered to have their hair cut for the cause. One of them, Scotty Harper of Stanfield, had a personal reason for donating his hair.

“My family was affected by cancer and my Papa died of cancer last year,” said 10-year-old Scotty, who said it took him two years to grow out his hair before having it cut off on Saturday. He was a willing donor, but said it will take a while before he gets used to his more clean-cut look.

His mother, Sheri Harper, also donated 10 inches of hair on Saturday. She said Scotty got the idea to give his hair to Locks of Love a year ago.

“I was involved last year and he paid attention and came up with the idea to cut his hair and give it to Locks of Love,” Harper said.

Harper said her son grew his hair long “just to be cool,” but when his grandpa passed away from cancer, Scotty decided it was time to let it go.

“I’m very proud of him,” she said. “I’m going to cry.” Scotty’s generosity has rubbed off on his 5-year-old brother, Derek, who told his mom he was going to start growing his hair out so he, too, can donate it one day.

Nikki Hoffman of Umatilla was another who has had family members with cancer. She had been growing her hair out for about eight years before coming into the Main Stylin’ Nook on Saturday.

“My hair is super long,” she said. “I’ve been growing it out diligently. It was down to my bottom.”

Hoffman was eager to help out Locks of Love, but wasn’t sure how she would like her new look.

“It was nerve wracking, but I’d rather my hair go to a good purpose,” she said.

Main Stylin’ Nook owner April Kowalski-Milbrodt said she began the Locks of Love benefit after one of the salon’s original stylists, as well as her own mother, was diagnosed with cancer years ago. The salon holds the benefit each October, but cuts hair for Locks of Love throughout the year. Last year, Kowalski-Milbrodt and her stylists sent 1,333 inches of hair to Locks of Love. This year, they have 1,390 inches ready to send in.

The day had a festive atmosphere with several food vendors on hand as well as music and activities for the kids. Julie Zumwalt brought her snow cone wagon, Mike Ramey was barbecuing, the Eti Ena family cooked Polynesian kabobs, Desert Sounds provided the music and Bryn Braithwaite and Cecili Longhorn provided the bouncy house for the kids.

Kowalski-Milbrodt’s mother, Sherry Kowalski, said small businesses in the community provided gift packages that were raffled off throughout the day.

“Ninety percent of all the donations come from small businesses,” Kowalski said. “And Wildhorse Resort & Casino always gives a get-away package.

The youngest donor on Saturday was 5-year-old Miguel Cisneros of Umatilla. His father, Javier, said the boy had been growing out his hair for the past three years.

“He grew it long because he wanted to look like an Indian,” added his mother, Ginger McCormick. “Then I told him about Locks of Love and where the hair goes and he got really into it and decided to get it cut.”

When stylist Mo Lovell was finished with the scissors, little Miguel had donated a total of 12 inches. It won’t be long before his hair – and all the other hair donated Saturday – will be worn by someone else who can’t grow their own.