A letter from Valley Catholic Middle School Principal Dr. Jennifer Gfroerer
Dear VCMS Families,
Have you ever wondered if your small acts of kindness make a lasting difference? Have you ever wondered how much of a difference one person can make? During my twenty-seven years working at Valley Catholic, there have been many student-led initiatives. Many of these initiatives make a difference while the student is on campus. Some of these initiatives have a much longer-lasting effect. Locks of Love is one of these student-led initiatives that continues to leave a lasting mark.
I first became aware of the Locks of Love and Wigs for Kids program after VCHS students started the Locks of Love assembly on campus. An older brother of some VC students, a VCHS alumnus himself, was diagnosed with cancer while he was still quite young and the siblings wanted to help support not only their brother but also many students diagnosed with childhood cancer.
Students, staff, and parents were invited to donate hair that was 14 inches or longer to be made into wigs for children who lost their hair due to a medical condition (such as cancer), or donate hair that was between 6” to 13” that would be sold (i.e. to be used as doll hair) to help offset the costs of making the wigs. In some cases, there was an auction where money was collected for people to have their heads shaved by the winning bidder.
What began as an act of love and solidarity by the siblings and classmates of a VCS student became a multi-year campus-wide event. To this day there are several people who first learned about hair donations via the Locks of Love (Wigs for Kids) events held here at Valley Catholic, and they continue to donate their hair. I am one of these people.
So when your student has a passion that they want to explore, a cause they want to investigate, or an area they want to help educate others – encourage them to do so! They may not necessarily find a platform at school, but you may never know.
Thank you to the Keagbine family for introducing Locks of Love to so many. Your efforts continue to make a difference.
Dr. Jennifer Gfroerer
