2009 ‘Locks of Love’ program held

By Lisa Soileaux

Assistant Editor

Valentine’s Day - a day of giving. For a group at Rayne Catholic Elementary the day prior, Friday, Feb. 13, it was a day of giving from the heart.

In a program that began Valentine’s Day three years ago by RCE volunteers, a number of students, along with their mothers, made a special pledge one year ago and made a donation to the Locks of Love Foundation, a hair cut, with each pony tail donated to the nation-wide program.

During the special afternoon ceremonies, 28 donors at Rayne Catholic Elementary came through with a promise made last year, a hair cut of at least 10 inches. Hair collected is donated to the Locks of Love Foundation which uses the hair cuttings to create wigs for children who have lost their own hair due to a medical condition and/or chemotherapy. The non-profit organization provides recipients with a custom vacuum-fitted hairpiece made entirely from donated human hair.

The special Valentine’s Day Locks of Love Day was again sponsored by the RCE Angel Network, with the assistance of six local hair stylists, Madelene Boudreaux, Blair Thibodeaux, Blanche Boudreaux, Sheila Faulk, Kellie Moreau and Stacey Bordelon.

Making this year’s event tug at the heart of long-time chairperson Madelene Boudreaux was her fight against cancer. As she spoke to the students and guests in attendance, she tipped her hat revealing what so many patients endure, the loss of hair.

Boudreaux then announced a $400 donation to the Miles Perret Center, compliments of a $1 jean day held for the students during the day. Also on hand for the presentation were emcee Tracey Wirtz of KATC TV-3 and Julie Kelley of the Miles Perret Center.

Each donor was presented a special T-shirt provided by Bayou Silkscreening. In addition, the hair stylists were planning to provide free hair styles for the day’s donors following the program.

Special thanks are extended to everyone who donated their time and services for this special program.

Locks of Love began in 1997 and has helped over 1,500 children with the donations. Children comprise over 80 percent of the donors, making this a chairty where children have an opportunity to help children across the nation.