Inmates at the Bexar County Jail cut their hair off for a worthy cause on Monday. They cut off ponytails to donate to children who lose their own hair to chemotherapy or sickness.
Locks of Love puts the donated pieces together to form hairpieces, then donates them to kids that show the greatest need.
Sheriff Amadeo Ortiz said, “These ladies are extremely proud to participate to be able to help somebody else. It makes them feel good. It makes them forget their problems for the time being. So it’s a great program.”
The ponytail has to be at least 10 inches long before it is cut.
Some inmates got nervous when they heard that number.
“I think I might make a run for it. I don’t know, I am undecided. Because they were saying six inches and I hear someone say 10 inches. That’s too much. 10 inches is a lot,” said Ruth Triana.
But when you think about how difficult it can be for children living with hair loss, the desire to give back is universal.
Once the ponytail is cut, the hair is treated. It takes about six to ten ponytails to assemble into a full hairpiece, which is then valued at about $6,000.
This is the second year the jail has donated to the nonprofit. This year 43 woman inmates donated their hair to the Locks for Love project for children, but no men participated.
