10 Inches Is All it Takes--- of HAIR, you perv ;-)

I would LOVE to be able to donate some of my hair to Locks of Love before I die. Maybe even more than once. There are some questions/myths that I definately want to clear up for those of you who would even maybe SLIGHTLY consider donating your hair.

First of all, it is NOT true that you can't donate hair if it has been colored or permed hair. However, if your hair has been BLEACHED, Locks of Love is not able to accept it. This is because the bleach can cause "a chemical reaction that occurs during the manufacturing process."

If you are planning on shaving your head to give every last inch of your hair to Locks of Love, that is a very sweet idea but, semi-ineffective. Locks of Love asks that, instead, you bundle your hair into multiple pony tails (as close to your head as you can) and then cut off the chunks and shave as desired.

If you have dreds, you simply can't donate your hair... sorry. Buuuut.... I know for a fact that there are people out there that will actually PURCHASE your dreads! So have no fear! Your hair will still benefit someone- it just may be yourself!

It doesn't matter if your hair is layered, as long as it is at LEAST 10 inches long.

If you don't have long enough hair to donate (like... if you cut 10inches off, you'll look like G.I. Jane), you can still donate your hair to Locks of Love. "Shorter hair will be separated from the ponytails and sold to offset the manufacturing costs. Although the shorter hair cannot be used in the hairpieces, it still greatly helps to reduce costs." AND, if you don't want to cut your hair at all, you can still contribute to this great cause.

For more information on how to donate hair, visit the Locks of Love website. You probably won't feel quite as bad the next time you have a "bad hair day."

Check out this video of a young girl donating her locks! Get inspired!

Slightly different

Well school started yesterday so my unique and oh so interesting summer thoughts have been replaced by boring, stressful ones involving extensive group projects and other oh so thrilling topics. I will try to spare you details of the classes and will avoid lame blogging highlighting what I ate for lunch and what the weather is like..... and with that, I continue.

I work for a very small nonprofit organization that works with kids in orphanages and detention centers outside the US (I think I'll refrain from naming it at this point... I don't want something I may say in the future to hurt this organization in any way)... I think that what we're doing is awesome and so worth it - kids, who may not have otherwise had a chance, are getting the love and support they deserve. - - - On Friday, a woman came into our office and tried to drop her kids off- we are not an adoption agency, a foster care place, or social workers. The poor woman was bawling as she explained that she was a wife of a military man (who was gone) and not a US citizen. She simply could not afford to care for her children (around 3 and 6) and wanted us to take care of them for her for a while so she could get herself back on her feet. It was SO sad and reminded me of something that you might see on TV- NOT something that happens (or should be happening) in the US in 2008! That situation got me thinking... and I'm not sure that I have completely sorted things out... Was she clean out of options? Move into a smaller house/apartment? Work longer hours? Perhaps even go to a shelter that could take in the small family? I am by no means blaming the woman for her desperate actions - simply pondering the situation- and thinking what I may do if I found myself in the same awful situation. It was clear she had reached the end of the rope - not many (normal/stable) people give up their children out of mere inconvenience.

I know that there are tons of nonprofits out there helping people in the US and that countries need our help. It's just sad. And it's life. Everyone does the best they can - and should help someone else if they are capable even if its something small- kinda like that movie Pay it Forward or those insurance commercials.

Some good organizations doing good things... check 'em out. get inspired.

• Pay it Forward Foundation
• Operation Smile
  
• Ronald McDonald House Charities
  
• Boys and Girls Clubs of America
  
• Save Darfur
  
• SPCA (cant forget about the animals!)
  

I was thinking about creating a blog for my work- so people who have gone on trips to see the kids can share stories and pictures with not only eachother but also donors and volunteers/ people who want to get involved. I thought it would also be a great way to share some of the children's stories and allow people to see what is going on - on a more personal/upclose level. What do you think? Let me know.