When it comes to doing good deeds, some give money, some pick up trash and some chop off their hair.
The Program and Activities Board Downtown is partnering with rePose salon and Changemaker Central to collect both hair and money donations for Locks of Love, an organization that makes wigs for children who've lost their hair due to various diseases.
This year’s Locks of Love Bald for Bucks event will take place on Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Taylor Mall.
PAB Vice President and criminology junior Tiffany Marcum has been a involved with this event for three years.
“It’s really cool because some people grow out their hair every year for this event, so we’ve had some repeats,” she said.
Girls who have at least 10 inches of hair and also meet Locks of Love guidelines, like not bleaching their hair, can donate their ponytails during the event. Guys can “go bald for bucks” by shaving their heads to raise awareness and making a money donation.
For students who can't donate their lovely locks or shave their heads, PAB previously only accepted cash donations but Marcum said they hope to raise more money this year as it is the first year they are accepting donations through credit and debit cards.
She said last year PAB collected 15 ponytails and $235 in cash donations while another 12 people went bald to raise awareness.
Marcum said PAB hosts this fundraiser every year during Homecoming Week.
“(It’s an opportunity to) donate to a charity and give back to a good cause,” Marcum said. “We care about others and want to give back to our community.”
Three stylists from rePose salon will donate their services for the day. No signup is required so students can walk by when they have time and donate on the spot.
Marcum said those who partcipate will receive a free T-shirt. PAB will also offer snacks and refreshments throughout the day.
“I think it’s really rewarding to know that people are actually willing to donate and lend a helping hand to others, especially because it’s for children who have diseases and who have lost their hair,” Marcum said. “So you know that it’s going to a good cause and being able to plan that and be the reason why people are donating and that bridge between ASU and Locks of Love and those children is probably the best part for me.”
After the event, PAB sends the donated hair and money to Locks of Love. Marcum said donors receive personal thank you notes from the organization.
Nonprofit sophomore and PAB Homecoming Assistant Director Brittany Hall said she's not only helping with the planning for the event, but is thinking about donating her own hair.
“I think it’s such a great cause but I’m just nervous because that’s a lot of hair to cut off,” she said. “I’ve been on the fence about it for the past week, but I want to do it.”
Hall said the stylists will try to blend the cut and make it look nice after students donate their ponytails.
Civil environmental engineering sophomore Reyna Blakley is PAB’s homecoming intern this year. She said the Locks of Love Bald for Bucks event is a unique opportunity for students to help those in need.
“As college students, it’s not always easy to donate money,” Blakley said. “(With this event), you can donate something that just grows naturally.”
Reach the reporter at bridget.dowd@asu.edu or follow @bridgetbernice on Twitter.
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