City workers donate over 5 feet of hair

The City of St. Augustine told local Historic City News reporters that four employees in the Department of Public Works recently had their hair cut as a contribution to Locks of Love — a non-profit organization which provides natural hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children.

Martha Graham, Director of Public Works, Brett Brown, Supervisor of Transmission and Distribution, and Streets and Ground Division employees Vicki Warren and Tammy Douvarjo together contributed nearly five-and-a-half feet of hair. Locks of Love only takes contributions of untreated hair 10 inches in length or greater.

The stylists at Salon 192, located in the Riverside Centre, were Lisa Hinson, Megan Shrader and Aimee Martin; who donated their time and talent to Locks of Love by cutting and styling at no charge to the contributors.

Brown had the idea for a group cutting; this was his second contribution to the charity. He had grown his hair long to play Santa and heard about Locks of Love and contributed his hair in 2008. In mid 2009, he decided to grow his hair once again to play Santa then decided to keep it growing until Christmas of 2010 when he planned to contribute once again to disadvantaged children.

Brown began an effort this past summer to encourage co-workers with long hair to join him in this worthy cause. Graham, who is Brown’s supervisor, as well as his Public Works co-workers, responded immediately.

Martha hasn’t had her hair cut for the past six years and says her husband really wasn’t too encouraging about the idea, but Martha’s charitable side won out when she agreed to join Brett and the others.

Warren hasn’t had such a cut since she was six years old. She’s had trims over the years but never 10 inches or more cut at a time. She likes her new cut, she says, but was wondering how it was going to be liked once she got home. “We’ll see?” she said, and “it’ll grow back, I’m sure.”

Douvarjo had the longest hair also had the most cut, about 14 inches with three separate pony tails. Her hair was past her waist, but she normally had it in braids so many of her co-workers didn’t know how long it was. Once cut, she still had long hair and at home, “no problem” she said the next day. It was the first time she had her hair cut since she was 18 except for trims.

Both Warren and Douvarjo dedicated their hair cuts to fellow employee, Teresa Garris, Visitor Information Center Gift Shop Manager, and the friend of a co-worker, Lynn Rothemund both cancer survivors.

Brown said that during the season, “it was a joy to have the camaraderie of fellow co-workers to join in Locks of Love, such a worthwhile organization.”