10-year-old’s haircuts benefit Locks of Love charity effort

Summerlin resident Allison Stone, 10, has found a way to help children facing medical conditions that can result in hair loss. She donates her hair to Locks of Love.

The charity organization makes human hair into wigs for those undergoing cancer treatments and/or taking hair-robbing medications.

Allison’s first donation was when she was 5. The idea came from her mother, Lara, who said, “I had heard of Locks of Love, and my hair was getting pretty long, so I asked her if she was interested in doing it with me, and she could share the experience with me. And it was a beautiful experience. Afterward, she was so pleased about it, she wanted to do it again.”

At least 10 inches of hair are needed, so it takes a while to grow hair long enough to make a wig. Allison, a student at the Adelson Educational Campus, 9700 W. Hillpointe Road, has donated three times now — at ages 5, 8 and 10. The last time Allison donated to Locks of Love was in June.

Allison’s efforts were recently recognized by the Nevada chapter of the Community Associations Institute at its annual Ordinary People, Extraordinary Measures Recognition Luncheon, which was held Sept. 10 at the Gold Coast.

“We were touched by her story simply in the fact that this is the (third time) she has done this,” said Chris Snow, CAI spokesman. “To us, it was extraordinary for a child to have this sympathy and want to participate in the program.”

CAI is a 31,000-member international organization that represents homeowners and the neighborhoods in which they live. It provides education and resources to the volunteer community leaders and professionals involved in the management of common-interest communities. The Nevada chapter is one of 62 state and regional U.S. chapters.

Composed of more than 1,000 members, the Nevada chapter is one of the largest and most active in the nation. To find award recipients, nomination forms were e-blasted statewide to members. CAI received 18 nominations. Allison was the only child to receive recognition.

“Most children her age are involved in sports, church, Scouts, and what have you, but to see a child that donates to a cause is commendable,” said Snow.

The other honorees were all organizations: Michael’s Angel Paws, dedicated to training and certifying service dogs; the Tugboat Society, a food charity partner with Three Square; the Nick & Friends Sarcoma Foundation, supporters of events to help those affected by sarcoma; Child Focus, a group that brings together separated siblings in foster care; Blindconnect, a support group connecting blind people in the community with other blind people; Step 2, a Northern Nevada organization that assists families suffering from substance abuse; and Create A Change Now, an organization fighting childhood obesity by educating families on healthy food choices.

Allison said if her mother had not told her about Locks of Love, she would never have known it existed.

“I thought it would be something fun to do,” she said. “What I didn’t know was how great it felt. When I give my hair to Locks of Love, it feels really nice to know some kid will get a wig made with my hair and be really happy with it.”

She said a couple of years later when her hair was long again after that first cut, she decided to repeat the gesture.

“It’s not like I had anything else to do with it (the hair), except to chop it off,” Allison said.

At school, her friends say it’s “cool” that she donates to the charity. A friend has decided to do the same thing and is growing her hair.

Allison said she plans to keep donating her hair for more wigs.

For more information about Locks of Love, visit locksoflove.org.

Contact Summerlin/Summerlin South View reporter Jan Hogan at jhogan@viewnews.com or 702-387-2949.