
Julie Spaun photos/Courtesy of Eastern Elementary
Several students donated their hair during the annual hair donation station held recently at Eastern Elementary. Pictured are (from left to right) 3rd grader Brielle Newland and 2nd grader Hayley Sanders, along with hair stylists, Amanda White and Jaymie Calhoun.
TUPPERS PLAINS — Hair cuts for a cause!
A total of 34 hair donors — which included students, staff, and parents — had their hair cut for a good cause during the recent mini-Relay for Life and Hair Donation Station hosted by the Eastern Local School District.
Students having their hair cut ranged in age from preschool to high school.
In addition to the donors having their hair cut at the school, several outside donations of ponytails to add to the “collection.”
Five boys also participated in the assembly by shaving their head for cancer awareness.
Hair donated is sent to the Pantene Beautiful Lengths campaign.
Pantene Beautiful Lengths is a charity campaign created by the Pantene company, in partnership with the American Cancer Society, that encourages people to grow, cut and donate their healthy hair to create real-hair wigs for women who have lost their hair due to cancer treatments. These wigs are provided to women free of charge through “wig banks” throughout the country.
Locally, the wigs are available at the Meigs County Health Department.
“By providing this experience to our students and staff, it is our hope that it will develop a life-long desire to ‘pay it forward’ with compassion and personal sacrifice,” said event organizer Julie Spaun.
This event has become a yearly tradition on the day of the Eastern mini-Relay for Life. The next hair donation station will be held in May 2014. Those wishing to participate are encouraged to start growing their hair now.
Donors were given T-shirts, goodie bags and certificates which were sponsored by local businesses.
Cyndie Rodriguez, a cancer survivor, was the guest speaker for the event. Rodriguez spoke about her journey through cancer. She works at Farmers Bank in Pomeroy and is the mother of third grader, Cydnie Gillilan.
Hair stylists helping with the event included Jaymie Calhoun from Arcadia in Coolville, Betty Hoschar from Susan’s Locker Room Salon and Tanning in Chester, Chris Parker from West Shade Barber Shop, and Amanda White from Heavenly Cuts in Shade.
In addition to the hair donation station, students also took part in several mini-Relay for Life activities around the football field and track.
Students in kindergarten through fourth grade made luminaries to line the track in memory or in honor of those who have had cancer. Students in grades five through eight also created banners to be displayed during the event.
A total of $887.76 was raised by the students, which will be donated to the American Cancer Society on behalf of the Eastern Local School District.
The Meigs County Relay for Life will be held on June 7 and 8 at the Meigs County Fairgrounds.



















