Olivia Parven shortened her hair 11 inches last Saturday.
Olivia, 8, grew her hair for more than a year and a half in order to donate her hair to Locks of Love, a non-profit that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children across the United States who are suffering from long-term medical hair loss.
"I wouldn't like it if I had no hair on my head. It feels so good to do something that will help someone who's sick," said Olivia, a third-grade student at Bells Mill Elementary School.
Olivia said she decided that she wanted to grow and donate her hair after reading about another student in Potomac who did the same.
"I thought it would be a wonderful idea," said Olivia.
Locks of Love only uses lengths of hair 10 inches and longer, according to the organization's website, because most of the children whom Locks of Love helps are girls. Ten to 15 donated ponytails go into one hairpiece.
The organization began in 1997 and has helped over 800 children. Custom hairpieces start at $3,000 retail, the website says.
Olivia grew her hair longer than the 10" minimum length to make sure her hair could be used to make a wig.
"She pursued this on her own. I begged her to cut it sooner, she said, 'No.' She has a lot of hair," said Olivia's mother, Cari Parven.
"It's not that long," said Olivia.
Parven said there were specific procedures they had to follow in order to send the hair to Locks of Love. Olivia's hair had to be completely dry when it was cut, placed in a plastic bag and bundled in a ponytail or braid.
The majority of donated hair comes from children who wish to help other children, although Locks of Love needs hair from men and women, young and old, and of all colors and races.
"It makes me feel good that I'm helping someone else," said Olivia.
See www.locksoflove.org
Angel Locks, a New Jersey non-profit, has a similar mission. See www.angellocks.org.