FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LOCKS OF LOVE - COMMUNITY/SKATING EVENT
131 West Easy Street, Simi Valley, Ca 93065
CONTACT: Lexi Rohner
284 PONYTAILS COLLECTED!
COMMUNITY TURNS OUT IN FULL FORCE FOR
LOCKS OF LOVE - PONYTAIL PLEDGE - DONATE & SKATE!
JUNE 10, 2006 - 1pm – 4pm
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THANK YOU'S:
* THE AMAZING VOLUNTEERS WHO HELPED MAKE THIS EVENT A SUCCESS!!
* BRUCE KANEGAI - SIMI VALLEY TEACHER &
MEMBER OF "SURVIVOR-PANAMA”
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VENTURA COUNTY SUPERVISOR JUDY MIKELS FOR
COMMENDING THE “LOCKS OF LOVE EVENT”
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CITY OF MOORPARK - OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION
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EASY STREET ICE ARENA
Simi Valley, California (updated July 1, 2006) - Inspired by a local teen figure skater with Leukemia, Amalia Reina, ponytail donations were collected for “Locks of Love” on June 10, 2006 – 1pm – 4pm.
Held at the Easy Street Arena in Simi Valley, sponsors included: Tri County Youth Productions Corporation, All Year Figure Skating Club, Marisa’s Hair, Lindy Z SkateWear, Marketing Software Company, Inc., M’Lords & M’Ladies Salon, Chuy’s, FasTracKids, and Community Chiropractic.
KRTH was at the event, while volunteer hair stylists cut ponytails and braids for 3 hours. All donors were invited to
skate free from 1pm – 4pm. Entertainment was provided by skaters performing in exhibitions every 30 minutes.
“Amalia has been my student for 6 years”, said event organizer, Lexi Rohner. When she received a wig it meant so much to her.
It inspired me to do something more than hold her hand. I am overwhelmed and very encouraged by the HUNDREDS of people in the community who have responded in support of this event.”
This event benefitted Locks of Love, a not for profit organization that provides recipients with a custom, vacuum-fitted hairpiece made entirely from donated human hair. The vacuumfit is designed for children who have experienced a total loss of scalp hair and does not require the use of tape or glue. Most of the applicants suffer from an autoimmune condition called alopecia areata, for which there is no known cause or cure. Others suffer from severe burns, or endured radiation treatment to the brain stem, in addition to many other dermatological conditions that result in permanent hair loss.
Donated hair is evaluated for its usefulness according to the following guidelines:
•It must be 10 inches or more in length
•It must be bundled in a ponytail or braid
•It must be free of chemical processing damage (no
bleach/recent perms; dyed hair ok if healthy)
•Donations less than 10 inches may be used to offset costs
for the Locks of Love program
Locks of Love, which began in 1997, has helped over 1400 children since its first year of operation. Thousands of bundles of donated hair arrive from around the country as a result of national publicity Locks of Love receives in newspapers, magazines and television programs. Children comprise over 80 percent of the donors, making this a charity where children have the opportunity to help children.
