Giving the gift of hair: Local siblings give to Locks of Love

Perry told the story of the Locks of Love donations made by his kids, Sanislo Elementary students, in the WSB Forums. Above is his son Jesse‘s “after” photo. Here’s “before”:

Perry explains:

He was in first grade and I had read somewhere that reading things other then books to kids can help them see the importance of reading so I’d share a WSB article with him if I thought he might like it. One of the first articles I shared with him was this one about 3 boys in a higher grade at Sanislo that donated their hair. He asked me some questions about why they were donating their hair and why other kids need a wig and I explained it to him and he said he wanted to grow his hair to donate as well. The longer hair has been a challenge for him because of baseball, soccer, and swimming. Now that he’s done it, he’s talking about growing it back to donate again.

And, Perry says, Jesse inspired his sibling:

His sister’s name is Jennie and she is in K at Sanislo. The photo of her was from the beginning of the school year. When she was getting her hair cut we asked her if she wanted a trim or to donate her hair like her brother is doing and she opted to donate.

You can find out more about donating at locksoflove.org; some hair salons offer free cuts for donors – check with your favorite.

Aman December 28, 2011 (8:04 pm)

Jesse & Jennie are good role-models! THANKS Kids!!

raincity December 28, 2011 (8:06 pm)

Good job Jennie and Jessie! You are great role models! Thanks for a heart warming story. Good job kids!!!

Kati December 28, 2011 (8:13 pm)

Way to go Jesse! That’s a beautiful gift you have given to someone!

Bonnie December 28, 2011 (8:27 pm)

What great kids!

Reeve December 28, 2011 (8:42 pm)

Sanislo kids are the best! Kind and caring. Go Jesse and Jennie!

JoB December 28, 2011 (8:58 pm)

Very cool!

Aroyathome December 28, 2011 (9:43 pm)

You two make me proud!!.

Jtk December 28, 2011 (9:45 pm)

:) :)

Alki Resident December 28, 2011 (9:46 pm)

Jessie and Jennie,you guys are our future and make me so proud.Your smiles speak volumes and what you did was heroic.Someone will have big smiles because of you two.Your parents must be proud.

moji December 28, 2011 (9:55 pm)

awesome :)

Ian December 28, 2011 (10:21 pm)

How nice to read a happy story, considering the heavy dose of crime-related stories we’ve been seeing lately (which are worth covering—don’t misunderstand).
_
Just for full disclosure, Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths program is another donation option worthy of consideration. They use the hair to make wigs for women going through cancer treatment.
_
http://beautifullengths.com

Aroyathome December 28, 2011 (10:45 pm)

You two make me so proud.

rebecca December 29, 2011 (6:10 am)

I had cancer at 15, a real hair wig truly makes a difference. I had a synthetic wig and hated it, barely wore it, however barely left the house except with family. This year I donated to Locks of Love and will totally do it again! So simple and easy. Great Job Kids!!

Erik December 29, 2011 (6:40 am)

Perry YOU have given this gift! You have inspired YOUR kids to help and inspire OTHER kids (and adults). Great job to all of you and thank you so much for your generosity!

knm December 29, 2011 (6:41 am)

This warms my heart. I’m currently growing my hair out to donate in March, around the birthday of my good friend who recently passed away from colon cancer. This is something that can make a difference for people fighting cancer and it’s something those of us who feel helpless can do. Bravo kiddos! You are an example to follow!

guy December 29, 2011 (9:35 am)

So cool!!

Bianca December 29, 2011 (9:43 am)

Truly inspirational.

Norma December 29, 2011 (10:13 am)

We have so much to learn from these innocent, selfless children whose first thoughts were not of themselves but of sharing what they could with others.

curious December 29, 2011 (11:15 am)

I can’t seem to find salons in West Seattle that would do this on the Locks of Love website. Does anyone have a list? Thanks!

TripleJ December 29, 2011 (1:06 pm)

Thank you all for the kind words. I’ll be sure to have Jesse read the comments to Jennie tonight.

Curious, I think any salon will do the LOL in that they will tie the hair in a pony tail and give it to you and you can send it in. The form and instuctions can be found here: http://www.locksoflove.org/donate.html. Some salons will send the hair in for you. For Jennie we went to the same place that was mentioned in the original story from a few years ago and the stylist took care of sending it in.

Finding a place that cuts your hair for free if you submit to LOL may prove a little trickier to find. I asked a few places and either was told no they do not or it depends on the stylist you work with. You may have better luck if you have someone you go to all the time.

When we cut Jesse’s hair a few days ago my wife did it.

curious December 29, 2011 (1:47 pm)

TripleJ – thanks for the tips! Great story and what an inspiration for all kids and parents! Something that could mean so much and takes so little… the cutting and mailing I mean ;)

NorDel December 30, 2011 (8:25 am)

My daughter’s first haircut was at age five. She cut 22 inches off! She loved her new look and sharing her hair. She thought it was such an easy gift to give, and I remember her asking why more people don’t do it. I didn’t have an answer. She asked if I would do it again since I had donated as a kid too. Right then, I cut 17 inches and donated along with her!
She decided that day to cut her hair every five years and donate. Her 10th birthday is in two weeks, and she is excited!
Kids are amazing! It warms my heart to see the kindness that my child is capable of and to know that others right in our neighborhood also have big hearts!