By Josh Rivera
Oct. 24, 2018
The University of Memphis’ Kappa Delta sorority hosted its fifth annual “Cuts for Confidence” Monday, drawing 35 women to the University Center to donate 20 feet of hair to support children with hair loss.
Vice President of Community Service for Kappa Delta Justine McGoff said the event also raised $152 for the foundation.
“Well this is my first time leading this, so I hope it went well, and it seemed like it did,” McGoff said. “I just wanted to do something big, and this a great first step.”
Any student could have gotten her hair cut as long as she had a substantial amount of hair that was able to be cut. At least eight inches was encouraged to be the minimum. Given that the requirements were met did not put a hold on how much someone could have cut, as they have had cases of entire head shavings.
In recent years, a person had to pay a $10 donation in order to get a haircut, but this year all haircuts were free with donations being encouraged. This gave the opportunity for more women to get a haircut that would not have got it in past years.
Men were eligible to get their haircut as well, but no men participated this year. That did not mean that a lot of women still didn’t cut their hair. That was the case for Kappa Delta as Lauren Wright, a sophomore in the sorority, was not hesitant when it came time to cut.
“My hair grows slow, so my haircuts are super special for me,” Wright said, “I wanted to cut it because it helps the kids and I am all about support and doing something totally “wack”. Besides, it is going to grow back eventually, so I don’t see why I should be so concerned.”
The hairdressers said they were happy to do whatever it was that women wanted with their hair as well rather than just chopping it all off, whether It was styling, curling, straightening or just shaving it all off.
One of the hairdressers, Cindy Molnar, 48, was eager to do whatever it was that donators wanted to do with their hair because she wanted to help in her own special way.
“If someone wanted to ask for a full head shave, I would definitely say of course,” Molnar said, “Most times, if a girl asks for a head shave, they already made that decision to do it before even coming to see me. Also, it is for a good cause and eventually their hair will be back in no time. And not to mention, it’s a free haircut can’t beat that.”
All donations went to Kappa Delta’s Up ‘til Dawn fundraiser, and all the hair was donated to the patients at the Children with Hair Loss Foundation. This foundation then turns the hair into wigs, so that it can be given to children who have undergone hair loss.
To donate money to the Up ‘til Dawn foundation, or for more information on how to be involved still, people can contact Student Involvement or contact St. Jude Fundraising.
Joshua Rivera 