28th OG spouses group donates locks of hair to Locks of Love

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Eric Bolt
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Fourteen 28th Operations Group spouses, three family members and one enlisted Airman volunteered to cut their hair to benefit Locks of Love at the Planet Hair salon in Rapid City March 5.

Locks of Love is a not-for-profit organization that provides hair pieces to financially disadvantaged children under 18. According to the Locks of Love Website which is, www.locksoflove.org, the organization helps to restore these youth's self-esteem and confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers.

"It is really great to know that something so incredibly simple and easy has such a profound impact on a child's life," said Senior Airman Margaret Kiser, 34th Bomb Squadron intelligence analyst.

After a year of hair growth and a lot of planning, the women were ready to donate at least six inches of hair.

"I feel proud to be a member of these women donating hair toady. It means the world to me to be able to help of these children," said Jill Keim, 28th Operations Group spouse and event organizer.

"Many members of the 28OG helped in the planning of today's event including: Charlotte Pryor, Andrea Barnes, Deb Brooks, Mary Hunsaker, Christina Garrett, Beth McCoy, Angela Witkowsky and Kelly Winters," Mrs. Keim said.

Combined with Mrs. Keim's 10-inch donation, the 18 ladies donated a total of 180 inches of hair to Locks of Love.

Along with the women donating the many locks of hair, numerous hair stylists volunteered their time and skills.

"Locks of Love is a great cause and it makes me feel really good to help out," said Tancy Winchell, a hair stylist from Mystique Edge in Rapid City. "Hair is a big attachment for most people and I can relate to what they are doing as I have donated hair before."

Most of the children that Locks of Love provides hair pieces for suffer from an autoimmune condition called alopecia areata, a type of hair loss that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, which there is no known cause or cure. Other children have suffered severe burns, injuries or endured radiation treatment to the brain stem or other dermatological conditions that result in permanent hair loss.

More information about the Locks of Love Organization can be found on their Web site, www.locksoflove.org.