FOLEY, Ala. — The national organization, Locks of Love, has inspired many people across the country to cut their coifs and our community is no exception.

Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that provides hair pieces to children who are suffering from long-term hair loss due to illness.

Seven-year-old Mikayla Forsyth of Magnolia Springs wanted to donate to the organization, and once her hair was long enough she made the trip to the salon for the charitable cut.

Meg Mullek, a 9 year old from Robertsdale, and 9-year-old Mharie Hannah Estes both made the same trip to support Locks of Love.

Estes donated her hair in the memory of her great aunt who died of cancer last year.

Whether donations are being made in memory of a loved one or for the good of the cause, the outcome is just as beneficial.

The mission of Locks of Love is to return a sense of self, confidence and normalcy to children suffering from hair loss by utilizing donated ponytails to provide the highest quality hair prosthetics to financially disadvantaged children.

Most children who benefit from a Locks of Love donation suffer from alopecia areata, which is a condition that causes a chronic loss of hair.

Children who have undergone chemotherapy, which causes hair loss, are other prevalent recipients.

Stylist Krys Hewes of Bella Salon in Foley, said the cuts she does that are donated have become frequent and that most salons, including Bella Salon, will take the extra step to make the donation for the donor.

If not, the steps are simple to follow. First go online to the organizations website, www.locksoflove.org, to download the donation form. Also online there is a list of guidelines to follow, including how the hair should be packaged and what type of hair is acceptable.

The requirements are basic and include rules like: hair must be tied back in a ponytail or braid, the cut hair must measure to at least 10 inches, colored or permed hair is acceptable but bleached hair is not.

Hewes explained that some people don't make donations because they don't know how. Another misconception is who can donate.

The organization encourages that everyone make a donation and stresses that hair is needed from men and women of all races and all ages.