February 7, 2001
A cut above
Girl donates hair to Locks of Love
By LISA PERKINS
Herald staff writer
A haircut is not usually at the top of a 10 year old's birthday wish list, but it was this year for Jora Cherry.
Cherry, a fourth grader at Glenn Loomis Elementary, had been planning her birthday haircut, however, with more than a new look in mind. She planned to contribute her long tresses to Locks of Love, a charity that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children with medical hair loss.
This is not the first time Cherry has made such a contribution.
"Just before she turned eight," explained her mother, Clara Cherry, "Jora was thinking about getting her hair cut. It was very long and I had my doubts about letting her get it cut. Then we heard about Locks of Love. I said if you really want to cut your hair, this would be acceptable. She was able to donate a 13 1/2 inch ponytail. She decided then and there that this is something she wanted to do every chance she could."
Cherry's donation of an 11 inch ponytail this year will be sent off to Locks of Love where it will be combined with 10 to 12 other bundles of hair and then fashioned into a wig. The hair may be dyed to achieve a uniform color in the wig.
Hair that is donated to Locks of Love must be at least 10 inches long and bundled in a ponytail or braid. The hair needs to be clean, dry and placed in a plastic bag. The majority of all donated hair comes from children wishing to help other children.
"I think it is exciting to be able to help someone out. I want to do it again on my twelfth birthday. I should have enough hair again by then," Cherry said.
Her plans for the remainder of her birthday seemed to be more in line with a typical 10 year old; pizza, presents and, of course, showing off her new hairdo.