| Locks of Love is a not-for-profit
organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under the age
of 18 with medical hair loss. These custom-fitted hair prosthetics are provided free of
charge or on a sliding scale to children whose families meet the Locks of Love
Board of Directors guidelines. Donors provide
the hair, volunteers staff the office, and the manufacturer hand-assembles each piece,
which requires approximately four months.
The organization, which
began in 1997, has helped approximately 200 children since its first year of operation.
Thousands of bundles of donated hair arrive from around the country as a result of
national publicity Locks of Love received in newspapers, magazines and television
programs.
The donations continue to pour in. Most donors mail a note and a photo with their
bundle of hair. Children comprise over 80 percent of the donors, making this a charity
where children have the opportunity to help other children.
Locks of Love provides its recipients with a custom, vacuum-fitted hairpiece
made entirely from donated human hair. The vacuum fit is designed for children who have
experienced a total loss of scalp hair and does not require the use of tape or glue.
Donated hair is evaluated for its usefulness according to the following guidelines:
- The donated hair must be at least 10 inches (preferably 12") in length
- It must be bundled in a pony tail or braid
- It must be free of hair damaged by chemical processing
- The hair must be clean and dry, placed in a plastic bag, and mailed in a padded envelope
to:
Locks of Love
1640 S. Congress Ave., Suite 104
Palm Springs, FL 33461
Monetary donations to Locks of Love are tax deductible. Hair is considered to be
a body part by the IRS and is therefore not tax-deductible. Donated hair that is not
suitable for use in children's hairpieces may be sold at fair market value to offset the
cost of manufacturing. |
