Fifth grader Jackie Buriss examines a sizeable lock of recently shorn hair during a Locks of Love benefit event. It was the Grandview Middle Schooler’s second such “donation” to the cause that provides hair pieces for children suffering from hair loss. (Laker photo by Amanda Schwarze)

Jacqueline, or Jackie, Buriss recently had a head of long brunette hair that she’d been growing out since she was in first grade. Her classmate Jasmine Escobedo always kept her shiny black hair long. Years of growing and care were gone in a matter of minutes.

Jackie and Jasmine, both fifth-grade students at Grandview Middle School, along with Jackie’s mom Cathy went to City Looks salon in Mound to each have 10 inches of their hair cut off Nov. 7. The group wasn’t yearning for a new style; they were giving up a piece of themselves for the benefit of people they don’t know.

The three were donating their hair to Locks of Love, a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces for children who might otherwise not be able to afford one.

According to the Locks of Love Web site, most of the children served by the organization have alopecia, an autoimmune disorder that causes hair follicles to shut down. Alopecia affects people differently, some lose hair in certain areas of the head while others lose all of the hair on their bodies. The next largest group served by the organization is cancer patients.

Regardless of the reason, getting a drastic haircut can be an emotionally draining experience especially for young girls. City Looks owner Debbie Lowden said she’s been cutting people’s hair for Locks of Love donations for about a decade and now she helps with about one donation per month. Lowden said the experience, even though it’s for charity, can be difficult for some and she had one girl cry about the process.

Jackie, Jasmine and Cathy however, were in high spirits and all liked their new hairstyles, which were done for free by the salon. Some of Jackie’s friends, on the other hand, were more apprehensive since they’ve never seen her with short hair.

Jackie wasn’t concerned because she’s been through the process before. When she was in first grade she donated her first ponytail to Locks of Love and she took it upon herself to rally support for the cause. That’s how Jasmine came to be sitting in the stylist’s chair with a new bob haircut.

Jackie said she’s considering a third donation at some point in the future. If so, maybe she’ll be able to once again encourage a couple of people to help out some children.

For more information on Locks of Love, visit the organization’s Web site at www.locksoflove.org.