Kutting for Kids 2009 - What an Awesome Event!

This year marks the 10th Anniversary of Kutting for Kids, an annual First Coast event started by Jeannie Blalock of First Coast News, as a drive to get donations for Locks of Love. The hair collected is crafted into custom wigs for children who do not have hair due to medical reasons. It takes six to ten donated ponytails to make just one hairpiece and each ponytail must be at least 10-inches long!

This year again, I had the incredible opportunity to photograph this amazing event at the Orange Park Mall. Seeing all the wonderful people who selflessly donate their beautiful locks. Last I heard, the total amount of hair collected was 7,004 INCHES! WOW!!! This year I was especially proud because my beautiful daughter also donated her hair, although she had it cut a few weeks ago because she wouldn't be in town this week. Her donation put the total over 7,000. Way to go Mikaela!!

A lot of people who donated last year brought back their spouses and children to donate this year! Next year, the last year crowd will be ready to donate again!

I captured over 450 smiles, tears, cuts, styles and expressions this year. These, along with those photographs from the other volunteer photographers, will be posted to the First Coast News website in a few days, as will the before and after shots! Until then, here are just a few I selected to share and a few short stories about some of these wonderful people!

First let's meet some of the beautiful children that these wigs may one day help!



Dorian is shown below with the wig that he already received!

And just a few of those who donated!
First is my little guy. He didn't donate his hair, but he was excited to turn in his sister's hair!




As soon as she saw her ponytail, she had an ear to ear smile. I think she was just a little bit nervous!






I had a blast watching this guy and his buddies. They all came in together and they all donated their hair. They were so funny as they all were taking photos of each other in multiple ponytails! In the second image, you can see the three buddies standing behind their friend whose turn it was to have his hair cut. And, yes, they even measured the one guy's beard - but it wasn't quite long enough! Way to go guys! You're awesome!


Isn't this little guy such a cutie! His mom said he was 4 years old and the stylist cut his hair as mom and his brother looked on. As soon as his first ponytail was cut, the stylist handed it to him and he kept saying over and over again with a HUGE grin, "This is my hair. That's MY hair. Look at my hair." :) What a cutie pie!


This little girl was definitely not sure about her new haircut!

This next three images are from the same family. Mom came out and brought her two daughters. Both the girls got their hair cut first, then when they were done, mom got hers cut. The stylist could sense that mom was a little nervous so she asked the girls to come hold mom's ponytail as she cut it. Mom's tears came right after the cut so I suggested to the girls each give mom a hug. They did and mom held them tight. Shortly after, I asked them to all get together for a family moment with their new "do's".



Mom brought this 3 year old little guy in to get his hair cut. Can you see how long it was? He wanted to have nothing to do with it and the tears were just flowing from his eyes. Poor little man. The stylist finally got his hair into a ponytail and started cutting as mom was keeping him still in the chair - although he was fighting it. After she snipped off the ponytail and showed it to him, he reached back to where his long locks were no longer and realized it was gone - he got quite upset.He then put both his hands on the back of his head and held them there to tell the stylist not to cut anymore. He was fine after a few minutes and the stylist was able to finish the styling. By the end of it all, he was trying to sneak a tiny little smile.


This gentleman was the very last cut of the day. Yeah, the guys look a little funny when they have their hair cut, but they're so proud and we're proud of them, too!

We had some amazingly talented musicians for everyone's listening enjoyment.


Everyone was also entertained by dancers from the Step by Step Dance Studio of Argyle. From little ones like the ones below to the big kids - they all did a fantastic job!

And, of course, the event couldn't be complete with out some extra special fun for the kids! Several clowns entertained the young ones with balloon animals and face painting!

What an AWESOME Day at Kutting for Kids

Today I had the incredible opportunity to help photograph the Kutting for Kids event at the Orange Park Mall. All I can say is WOW! So many wonderful people showed up to donate their hair to Locks of Love -- from all ages, all walks of life, it was just amazing! If I remember correctly, the last update I read on the sign that the Orange Park Girl Scouts were updating said 400 donations with the longest single ponytail being 28-inches long -- that was towards the end of the 4 hour event.

Kutting for Kids was first started nine years ago by Jeannie Blalock and First Coast News to help get donations for Locks of Love who take the donations and make custom wigs for children who do not have hair due to medical reasons. It takes Six to 10 donated ponytails to make just one hairpiece.

As I was walking around today to the different stylist stations, I had the opportunity to talk to some of the individuals who were donating their hair. What incredible stories they have. From one man who began growing his hair several years ago after his wife's father died from cancer. He received a lot of grief from people about having long hair until he told them of his reason for growing it. His wife donated her ponytail a few weeks ago and he brought her here today so he could donate his.

One little six year old girl came in with incredibly long, beautiful hair. She had never had a haircut but wanted more than anything to donate her hair so another child could have it. The stylist cut 18 inches. I don't know who was more nervous - she or her mom, but she looked just beautiful and dad even bought her a princess tiara for after her hair was cut. She didn't know what to think at first when she was checking out her ponytail that mom was holding.


These were just a few of the many amazing stories I was told today.

It was definitely a day filled with emotion. Watching the questionable expressions on the faces of some of the little ones when mom came back after getting her hair cut was priceless - they didn't really know what to think. There were many who were ecstatic to have the extra weight off their head, and there were some who were nervous and a few that shed a tear or two. And there were a few who had their hair cut recently and saved their ponytail so that they could give it to Jeannie, like this young lady.


While everyone was celebrating the day, some very talented musicians played some pretty awesome music for everyone to enjoy! The Simon Mall Kidgits also had a table where the little girls who got their hair cut could decorate and personalize a hairband with some pretty cool stickers! A clown painted faces and Batman even made an appearance!

To EVERYONE who came out today, THANK YOU you so very much for making such a great turnout to such an amazing event.

To see more images, please log on to the First Coast News website, click the View Videos and Photos link and select the Kutting for Kids gallery. Here are just a few of the many images taken today!

Kutting for Kids - Orange Park Mall - Sunday, July 20

One of the most rewarding things in life is to selflessly give of yourself unto others. This Sunday, July 20 from noon to 4pm at the Orange Park Mall outside the JC Penney court, you have the opportunity to do just that. You can stop by and donate your hair at Kutting for Kids - in its 9th year thanks to Jeannie Blaylock and First Coast News.

If you have at least ten inches of hair to donate, then stop on by and the professional stylists will cut and style your hair at no charge.

All of the hair donations will be donated to Locks of Love which is a non-profit organization that uses the hair donations to create custom hairpieces for children who do not have hair due to medical reasons.

It's summertime, it's Florida,and it's hot outside. Treat yourself to a cool new "do" while helping a wonderful organization help some pretty amazing kids. Make this a special event for the whole family.

I look forward to seeing you there!