MILWAUKEE -- Hundreds of inches of hair from people in the Milwaukee area will soon be off to Michigan. It will become wigs for children dealing with hair loss.
Both of Scottfree Salons' locations, downtown Milwaukee and Mequon, set the goal of 400 inches of hair and $500 for their Monday Cut-A-Thon.
Every inch and every penny will go to Children With Hair Loss, an organization out of Michigan. The organization gives children who have lost hair for any reason, not just cancer, wigs at no cost. Each care package costs more than $1,000, limiting the amount of wigs, donated hair products, and head wraps the organization can send out to children.
"If someone else needs it more, there's really no question," said donor Sharon Kochanski. Kochanski cut off 14 inches of her hair.
Regina Villemure, the founder of Children With Hair Loss, said it can take 12 ponytails to create a wig, depending on the hair's thickness. She said many kids ask for longer hair. But, she and Scottfree Salons owner Scott Yance said one benefit of their organization is they'll take any kind of hair - color-treated, curly - as long as it's healthy.
That's why Yance cut the price of the salons' cuts.
"If [the kids are] lucky enough to be able to go to school or get around in public, they don't want people looking at them, staring at them," said Yance. "They obviously feel that on their self-esteem," he said.
The donors felt a sense of pride in what they're giving to children.
"Knowing that these kids can have hair and be like any other kid feels really good," said Lori Schultz.
"I hope it brings someone joy and moments of peace," said Kochanski.
