 Drake grew her hair to donate a ponytail to the Locks of Love
program, which helps kids who have financial need and have lost
their hair. And, because her granddaughter asked.The day of the
cutting Drake explained what led up to this special moment. It began
in May 2008. She had started singing with the Sweet Adelines. They
were doing a 1960s performance, and she decided to grow her hair out
to be more in style for the show.
Her eldest daughter, Kimberly, is married to Andy Boettcher, and
they live with daughters Claire and Natalie in Minnesota.
With infrequent visits, Patti, known as "Oma," began looking
noticeably different to then-3-year-old Claire.
On one visit, observing her grandmother's lengthening hair,
Claire asked: "Oma, are you growing your hair for the sick kids?"
Inspiration was born and a mission set.
Hair donated through the Locks of Love program needs to be a
ponytail at least 10 inches in length.
Last week, Claire, now 6 years old and a kindergartner, was on
spring break. Her mom, Kimberly, brought her and little sister
Natalie to Elkhart for a visit with Oma and Paci (Larry Drake) and
for the special occasion of cutting Oma's hair that has been growing
for three years.
Patti Drake works for Lincoln Christian University in church
growth and university advancement. It is just a walk across campus
to get to Hair Designers salon and her hairdresser, Glenda Allison.
The five girls in the salon were all excitement as the hair was
let loose, brushed one last time and then bundled in the required
ponytail. It definitely met the required minimum of 10-inch length.
Claire was given the privilege of performing the cut. She was all
concentration mingled with apparent joy while taking slow, careful
snips.
Patti had not had her hair long since high school until this
time, and while feeling a little lighter-headed after the cut, she
was relieved to return to the shorter style.
If you are interested in donating hair to the Locks of Love, most
hairdressers are familiar with the requirements and will be happy to
assist you with the process.
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Guidelines from the Locks of Love
website:
-
Hair that is
colored or permed is acceptable.
-
Hair cut years ago
is usable if it has been stored in a ponytail or braid.
-
Hair that has been
bleached (usually this refers to highlighted hair) is not
usable. If unsure, ask your stylist. The program is not able to
accept bleached hair due to a chemical reaction that occurs
during the manufacturing process. However, if hair was bleached
years ago and has completely grown out, it is fine to donate.
-
Hair that is swept
off the floor is not usable because it is not bundled in a
ponytail or braid.
-
Hair that is
shaved off and not in a ponytail or braid is not usable. If
shaving your head, first divide hair into multiple ponytails to
cut off.
-
The program cannot
accept dreadlocks. The manufacturer is not able to use them in
children's hairpieces. The program also cannot accept wigs,
falls, hair extensions or synthetic hair.
-
Layered hair is
acceptable if the longest layer is 10 inches.
-
Layered hair may
be divided into multiple ponytails.
-
Curly hair may be
pulled straight to measure the minimum 10 inches.
-
The minimum length needed for a
hairpiece is 10 inches, measured tip to tip.
[By
JAN YOUNGQUIST]
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