Kids With Kindness

“Because that’s what kindness is. It’s not doing something for someone else because they can’t, but because you can.” ~Andrew Iskander

By Karin Calloway

Each year we honor local children who have selflessly given the gift of their hair to benefit another child through Locks of Love or other hair donation programs. Sometimes their donation to Locks of Love is made into wigs for children with cancer, but most commonly the hair donated is used as wigs for disadvantaged children who have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure.

Hair donated to the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program is made into wigs for women with cancer. They are distributed through the American Cancer Society.

Their donations of hair help restore the self-esteem and confidence of the recipients just as giving selflessly to others boosts the self-esteem and confidence of these young donors.


	Abbie Best Abbie, 9, is the daughter of Bill and Chela Best of Evans. This was Abbie’s second donation to Locks of Love and she’s currently growing out her hair so that she can donate again. “She is a very giving and compassionate young lady,” says her mother.
	Caroline Mackenzie Fairey Caroline, 9, is the daughter of Richard and Kim Fairey of Evans. She donated her hair in honor of her aunt who passed away from brain cancer when she was almost 2. Her hair wasn’t long enough to donate to Locks of Love so she donated to the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program, since they accept a minimum length of eight inches in their program. “She was happy to know she was helping someone,” says her mom.
	Janna Claire Horchler Janna Claire, 7, is the daughter of Jim and Elaine Horchler of Modoc, S.C. Janna Claire’s mother says that when she first saw a story on the news about Locks of Love she wanted to donate her hair right then. Elaine thinks that featuring children who donate is a wonderful thing. “Being recognized for doing something positive gives them the hunger to do it again and again. And then you have kids who are addicted to helping others. What could be better?”
	Rachel Fulton Rachel, 9, is the daughter of David and Karen Fulton of Martinez. Rachel learned about donating her hair when a friend of her mother’s made a donation. Once she heard about people who don’t have hair because of cancer treatments and other diseases, her mother says Rachel had a new mission: to grow out her hair and make a donation. “She is a beautiful child inside and out and I was moved to tears by her determination. That is the kind of girl she is and we are so proud of her,” says Karen.
	Claire Ivey Claire, 6, is the daughter of Matt and Lauren Ivey of Evans. After having several family members and friends go through chemo, Claire became interested in donating her hair to someone who has lost their hair for a medical reason. She donated her hair to the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program.
	Shalize O’hara Shalize, 8, is the daughter of Sheila Sherlock of North Augusta. When Shalize learned about Locks of Love she was impressed by the generosity and selflessness that the gesture of cutting and donating one’s hair represented. She wanted to use this simple act to make a big statement and is looking forward to donating again, says her mother.
	Caroline Plowman Caroline, 6, is the daughter of Jamie and Kari Plowman of Evans. She says she donated her hair so that “kids who are sick and don’t have hair will be happy and feel better about themselves.” Her mother says that after she donated her hair, Caroline assumed that everyone with a short hairstyle had donated their hair too. “Very sweet outlook,” says her mom.
	Grace Schneider Grace is a junior at A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School. She is the daughter of Jerry and Barbara Schneider of Augusta. “I donated my ponytail for the same reason anyone should give anything: I had plenty of locks to spare, what reason did I have for not helping out someone less fortunate than me?” Grace hopes her donation made someone’s life a little better.
	Courtney and Carlyann Dickson The Dickson sisters, Courtney, 12, and Carlyann, 11, are the daughters of Todd and Gina Dickson of Edgefield, S.C. They grew their hair out for several years so that they could help someone their own age have hair and feel better about themselves.
	Olivia Simpson Olivia, 5, is the daughter of Joey and Lisa Simpson of Evans. Olivia became interested in donating her hair after watching a television program featuring a girl without hair. Her parents say she’s always had the desire to help others.