14 elementary girls cut their hair at Becker school to be used for wigs by the organization Children With Hair Loss. PHOTO: Nofila Haidar

Along with the hair drive, which will be donated to the organization Children With Hair Loss to make wigs for cancer patients, dozens of other children at the school donated canned goods and were able to raise over $500 for a children’s charity named CATCH.

The PTA led the event on Tuesday, December 17, where the 14 girls had their hair cut by two local hairdressers in a private classroom. All of the children who participated in the activity had consent forms signed by their parents. 

Nofila Haidar, president of the school’s PTA, allowed her two daughters to cut their hair during the event. She says parents and faculty were able to educate and explain the topic of cancer to all the students in the school. They kicked off the initiative with an educational video during an assembly gathering last month, where all of the school’s students attended, from kindergarteners through fifth graders. 

“We didn’t want these kids to think they were just cutting their hair for a makeover. We explained how severe cancer can be and every single one of them understands what it is they are doing. They understand that life can get disoriented, especially when a child has cancer,” Haidar says. 

This marks the second year in a row where Becker students cut their hair for charity. PTA treasurer Ayda El-Saghir says that one of her daughters was really disappointed that she could not cut her hair last year because it was too short, so she grew her hair out all year long just for this event.

“I always talk to my kids about families who are suffering, and how we can help people. Even with one penny you can do something to help a child live a better life,” El-Saghir says. “The big importance for me as an Arab American parent is to make sure these children grow up in a culture to donate, regardless of who it is they are donating to. Needy is needy, no matter what the ethnicity or background is.” 

After the 14 girls cut their hair, they each received a certificate of appreciation at an assembly gathering to conclude the month-long initiative.  Principal David Higgins told his students that he was proud of the extra strides they took for charity this year, noting that some of them were so dedicated that they would even donate their lunch money.

“It’s very special to me to see what you have all done for those who may not have what they need. It means a lot, especially during this time of the year. We gave back as a community and we gave back as a school. The total unselfishness that you all have shown could not make me more proud and happy of you,” Higgins told the school.  

Jim Hughes, the executive director of CATCH, was also in attendance to accept a $500 check from Becker.  He told The Arab American News that he was delighted to see that there are children in the community who are bright enough to comprehend the importance of charity work. 

“Anytime these children can give anything of themselves, whether its time, money, or hair, they are giving back. When you’ve been fortunate and have had a good life and there are ways for you to give back, it’s clearly a good thing,” Hughes says. 

CATCH is a local charity based in Detroit founded by former Tigers manager Sparky Anderson. It aims to help improve the quality of life of for sick, injured and needy children. The nonprofit organization is a current source of revenue for two local hospitals: Children’s Hospital of Michigan and Henry Ford Hospital. For more information on the organization, visit its website at www.catchcharity.org.

Meanwhile, Children With Hair Loss will be taking the hair of the 14 girls and using it to aid other children who have medically related hair loss. The nonprofit organization aims to empower ill children who come from financially challenged families by making hair replacement available to them.  To find out more about the organization, visit www.cwhlmi.org.