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Ponytails wanted for Wigs for Kids
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Members of the Waiting to Excel Club at Holyoke Community College are finalizing plans for a Wigs for Kids community service project. Members include, from left to right, Dave Mailloux, co-president, Annette Davis-Harris, co-president, Heidi Kellogg, secretary, and Phil Fogg, chair.
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By Lori O' Brien
Correspondent
HOLYOKE Wanted: 50 ponytails.
Members of the Waiting to Excel Club at Holyoke Community College (HCC) are in the final planning stages of its annual end of year project, Wigs for Kids, and hope to collect 50 ponytails by May 3, according to Sharon Cenedella, one of the club's advisers and an intake specialist in the Office for Students with Disabilities.
Wigs for Kids is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to making custom-made hair replacements for children who have lost their hair due to illness, burns or medical treatment.
"Each prosthesis is hand tied and made completely of human hair," said Cenedella during an interview with Reminder Publications. When matched with a child, the hair will look exactly like the child's real hair in color, texture and style.
Area residents interested in donating their hair must grow his/her hair 10 inches or more and donate the ponytail on May 3.
"You receive a free cut and style by professional stylists who volunteer their time for this worthwhile event," said Cenedella. "All hair must be clean and free of any hair products."
The Wigs for Kids cut-a-thon will take place May 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the HCC patio. The event takes place during Spring Fling, an annual celebration on campus that marks the end of another successful school year, according to Cenedella.
"It's a fun day filled with music, activities and food," she said.
If area residents prefer to have their own stylist cut their hair, they can send the washed and dried ponytail in a sealed plastic bag with the donor's name on it and mail to the club at HCC. A member of the Waiting to Excel Club is also willing to pick up ponytails at area salons. If hair has been chemically altered, according to Cenedella, it is necessary to write down the types of chemicals used for coloring, highlighting and perms.
The Waiting to Excel Club will also accept ponytails anytime during the year, added Cenedella.
"For those who do not have long hair or do not wish to cut their hair, we will gladly accept a monetary donation," said Cenedella.
Area residents can also contribute through pledges to anyone growing his/her hair for the event.
The cost of one hair piece is $1,500 and it takes 11 to 15 ponytails for each wig, according to Cenedella. Last year the club collected 33 ponytails so they have set an ambitious goal of collecting 50 ponytails this spring.
Club members are also working to "Adopt A Child" through Wigs for Kids, which involves raising $1,500 to provide a wig for a specific child whose family is unable to afford one.
The club was established in 2004 when Annette Davis-Harris, Barbara Cadarette and Dorothy Blair discussed forming a service-based club on campus.
"They wanted this club to help people change their lives as the club members worked to change their own lives," said Cenedella.
The small, motivated group is made up of students of varying backgrounds and ages.
"Members are very supportive of each other and strong bonds of friendship have formed," she added.
Since its inception, members have hosted bake sales and raffles to raise money to adopt a family during the holiday season, have started a scholarship program for students with disabilities at HCC, and continue to support veterans and the homeless through various local programs.
For more information on the Wigs for Kids initiative, contact Cenedella at (413) 552-2139 or co-adviser Dorothy Blair at (413) 552-2064.
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