• Cobeen Hall hosted its annual Locks of Love event Wednesday
• Twenty-four women from the Marquette community donated their hair to the organization.
• Hair can be curly, straight, wavy or permed as long as it is 10 inches or longer
• Participants received free haircuts and styles

More than 240 inches of hair were donated by members of the Marquette community yesterday at Cobeen Hall's annual Locks of Love event.

"The Locks of Love event is a Cobeen tradition," said Amanda Wolff, a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences and one of the event's coordinators. "It's an exciting day and it's a really cool way to help."

Wolff said the hair donated during the event will go to Locks of Love, a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to children under 18 who are suffering from long term medical hair loss. The event was coordinated with the help of GLOW Salon & Spa, 765 N. Jackson St.

Wolff said she believes the Locks of Love event falls in line with the Marquette community's commitment to service.

"This event is just another way in which Marquette students are giving back," Wolff said. "This event is especially good for people who can't participate in other things. It's a one time thing, but it makes a big difference."

In addition to helping organize the event, Wolff was one of 24 women from the Marquette community who donated hair.

"I started growing my hair for Locks of Love before my senior year of high school," Wolff said. "A lot of time goes into it, but it's a renewable resource. Hair grows back."

Lauren Elliott, a sophomore in the College of Nursing, was a first-time donor at the event yesterday.

"I've always kind of wanted to do this, so I decided to just go through with it," Elliott said. "I was definitely nervous, but I figure that my hair will grow back. I'm in the College of Nursing and I really care about causes like this. I think it's important."

According to Wolff, participants of all hair types can donate to the organization, which accepts curly, straight, wavy and permed hair. She said participants must donate a minimum of 10 inches of hair, which can trigger an emotional reaction from some donors.

"I didn't see any tears, but I did see a couple of girls who were really attached to their hair," Wolff said. "Some people brought along moral support, but overall everyone did really well."

Stylists from GLOW Salon & Spa provided each of the donors with a free haircut and style to help ease her transition.

"Being in the industry, we know that hair is a big thing for women," said Jessica Holm, manager of Glow Salon & Spa. "Hair makes the woman, so if we can help in any way then we will try to do so. Anytime we are approached (for) Locks of Love, we are on board."

Holm said, in addition to aiding Marquette with its Locks of Love events, GLOW Salon & Spa allows people to donate their hair to Locks of Love in the salon. Donors receive a complimentary cut and style, and can choose any of the stylists.

Wolff said the stylists from GLOW Salon & Spa helped keep the energy up for the event all day and did an incredible job. She said she believes the event was a tremendous success overall.

"It was a really emotionally charged thing," Wolff said. "But everyone left with a great haircut and knowing that they did something helpful."