Dorothy Schildgen, 67 year old, almost 7 years growing her hair until she decided to cut it all off for a charitable cause. Schildgen has donated 10 inches of her hair to Locks of Love, a non-profit organization that provides hair pieces for Children who suffer hair loss due to a medical condition.

Director Janet Kolstad, Hillcrest Nursing Center Activity said “I thought it was great. I thought it was something neat she could do. I know people think residents in nursing homes can’t do anything, but here’s something she could do.” Gray hair is accepted to be used but not for a wig, it is sold to offset hairpieces manufacturing costs.

Director Lauren Kukkama said “We do receive gray hair donations, definitely. We can’t use them for the hairpieces since it’s for children. Children and younger adults are the majority of our donors, but we do see older adults donating.” The Senior citizen donations do help us, not as in the same way as a younger person’s. Can use hair from everyone.

Schildgen said “The girls would braid my hair. I had about five to six people willing to take care of it for me.” She keeps her hair pretty short, she said it was an adjustment getting used to her hair as it grew. Schildgen had cut her hair Oct. 13, which was the anniversary of her decision to grow her hair. Her hair it took so long fore her to make the donation because her hair grew slowly. She said “The feeling that I got from (donating) was kind of surprising. It made me feel good for a long time, but I wasn’t afraid to have my hair cut”.