Locks of Love - Surprising information about this well-known charity
You have undoubtedly heard of the charitable organization Locks of Love. Locks of Love has been featured on several television shows, including the Oprah Winfrey Show. Haircuts are provided to guests and audience members and the organization’s representative and the show hosts suggest that the hair collected during the show will go into a wig, and that the wigs are given to children with cancer. However, neither of these outcomes are guaranteed.
Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces and wigs to financially disadvantaged children under the age of eighteen who are suffering from long-term or permanent hair loss. Children who are undergoing chemotherapy and have lost their hair may be excluded from the program because their hair loss is considered temporary. The child’s family must also provide proof of financial need before the organization will consider them for assistance. Locks of Love does charge for some wigs and hairpieces depending on the income of the family receiving the wig. If you would like your child to be considered, you will also have to provide two letters of recommendation, a picture, and an essay describing your child’s condition and situation.
Locks of Love has received some criticism for its practice of selling donated hair rather than using it in wigs as the donors expect. In general, hair contributed by Americans is unsuitable for wig manufacture. This is because of the damage done to American hair from frequent washing, the use of styling products and dyes, and excessive heat from hair dryers and curling irons.
A 2003 report provided by the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance found that in 2002, Locks of Love raised over $150,000 selling donated hair and also received $213,000 in contributions and grants. Since 1997, it has been estimated that the organization received over 100,000 donations of hair each year, but has only created and donated 1,000 wigs or hairpieces. Locks of Love claim that more six to ten hair donations go into each wig. The Wise Giving Alliance also found that the organization did not make available annual financial statements, which did not meet Standard 11.
Locks of Love is a great idea and like many, I have always thought that this organization was reputable. It seems that this organization may not be as charitable as I thought. Before considering making a donation, do some research online.