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Hanna Felber, 8, made good use of her surprise day off from third grade Tuesday. First, she made a sock-puppet movie, then she had her "princess hair" cut off to give to a child she will never meet.
The 10 inches of ponytail will be used to make a wig for a financially disadvantaged child suffering from long-term hair loss because of medical reasons.
Hanna's mom, Diane Felber, says her donation to Locks of Love was inspired by the sensitivity she gained through her own suffering. Three years ago, Hanna was burned over 43 percent of her body. When Hanna was 5, she climbed onto the kitchen counter to get something and a flame from a candle ignited her dress.
Recovery was slow and painful. She spent two years in a pressure suit. There were five surgeries and skin grafts. "Sometimes these things make you stronger," Felber said. "She knows what it is like to be sick, in a hospital."
Hanna wasn't the only Columbus Magnet School pupil to give hair to Locks of Love. Caroline Abrams, a redheaded fifth-grader who has always been told she has beautiful hair, had her locks shorn Jan. 7 at Salon du Soleil in Stamford, where she has gotten her hair cut since she was a toddler.
Caroline has had nothing but a trim since kindergarten, when she had a pixie cut, said mom Suzanne Abrams.
Hanna got the idea for a Locks of Love donation from a cousin who did it. Caroline decided she would do it when she was in third grade, when a friend from her family's temple donated her hair.
In fourth grade, Caroline's friend's mother got cancer. The donation became just a question of when. "I did it when people weren't expecting it," Caroline said.
Hanna went to Creative Hair in East Norwalk to get her hair cut. "You've got princess hair," Rose Eckert said before cutting it, explaining, "Princesses usually have long hair." Hanna, who is shy, seemed to like her new hair cut.
Caroline is also happy with her new 'do. "People tell me I look more mature and that it adds something to my personality," she said.
Last Monday, Suzanne fastened both ends of Caroline's braids as per Locks for Love's requirements and mailed them to the organization. "I've been thinking a lot about who it might go it," Caroline said. "I really hope it makes them happy."
Would you ever donate to Locks of Love? Do you know anyone who has? Leave a comment below!
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