Other than a trim, Devan Maddox hasn't had her hair cut since she was two years old. Last week, she surrendered 10 inches of those locks. They didn't fall on the floor, rather they were banded and saved. Her mother, Carolyn Maddox, will send them to Locks of Love, an organization dedicated to the collection of human hair for the purposes of making hairpieces for financially disadvantaged children with hair loss.
Ten inches is the minimum hair length accepted by Locks of Love. They also require that hair be clean and dry, and bundled in a ponytail or braid. Hair is accepted from men and women, young and old, all colors and all races.
Carolyn Maddox will send them along with the 10 inches of hair that were cut from Devan's sister, Taylor, a few months ago.
"I'm really glad I did it, I would definitely do it again," said Devan Maddox, who was a little nervous at first.
Taylor Maddox had her hair cut at Frizzles hair salon in Springfield Mall; they donated their services, as do many other salons throughout the country.
Teresa Hendricks, owner of Hairvisions in Hollin Hall, did the honors of cutting Devan Maddox's hair. She said that she has one customer who comes in every other year to get her 10 inches cut off.
Rebecca Lear also went to Hairvisions when she had her locks cut last year. She and her friend, Melanie Sacks, were in gymnastics together and decided that they would both grow out their hair. Sacks cut hers in preparation for her role as a boy in the production of "Oliver" at West Potomac High School; Lear cut hers at the end of the school year.
"I'm very glad I did it. I would definitely do it again, it was so easy. All I had to do was grow my hair and I could help a child," said Lear. "It would be really neat to know who had my hair."
Locks of Love has been accepting hair since 1997, and has helped more than a thousand children who have experienced a total loss of scalp hair. Recipients receive a custom, vacuum-fitted hairpiece made entirely from donated human hair.
For more information visit www.locksoflove.com.