By:John C. O'Connell
With almost as much anxiety as enthusiasm, Abby Rose Dalto gave away her hair last week.
It had been long - 30 inches long - but by the time she left the salon her beautiful dark brown tresses had been stylishly transformed into an equally as beautiful pert, 10 inch do. Her loss will be some ill child's glad gain.
Abby, 22, first heard about Locks of Love in Creations magazine in a chiropractor's office about three years ago. Time went by and she didn't give much more thought to the Florida-based organization.
Locks of Love is a not-for-profit charity that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children with medical hair loss. The organization began in 1997 and has helped over 400 children since.
Abby is a graduate of Hewlett High School and received her bachelor's degree from SUNY Purchase in May.
She had her last haircut in April 1999. Although her next haircut and coloring session would have been about four months after that, she learned she was pregnant and decided to avoid hair dyes. Throughout her pregnancy and since her baby's birth, Abby just let her hair grow, too busy with nurturing her cute and happy-looking 16-month-old, Imogen Castro.
Recently recalling the good work Locks of Love does for children who've lost their hair due to certain illnesses or treatments, Abby decided to shed some of her flowing tresses to help.
She called Abracadabra on Dubois Avenue in the Gibson section of Valley Stream and made an appointment for last Thursday, letting them know her plan. The salon's staff was happy to help.
"I think it's something great what she's doing," said Michelle Meir of Valley Stream, Abby's hairdresser at Abracadabra. "To her, this hair may not mean so much, but to people who need it, it brings them joy, it embraces them." Abracadabra didn't charge for the haircut.
For confidentiality reasons, donors never get to meet the children who benefit from their generosity. But asked what she would tell the recipient if she could, Abby said, "They should know they're beautiful anyway, without the hair. I would want them to know if the hair is going to make them happy, good, but that you're beautiful anyway."
Her mom, Eileen Rose, looked on with pride as Michelle cut Abby's hair with skill and care. "You know, I think your heart opens up more to children after you have a child of your own," said Eileen, an art teacher at Hewlett's Ogden Elementary School.
Locks of Love provides its recipients with custom, vacuum-fitted hairpieces made entirely from donated human hair. The vacuum fit is designed for children who have experienced a total loss of scalp hair and does not require the use of tape or glue. They may be contacted at 1640 S. Congress Ave., Suite 104, Palm Springs, Florida 33461, or by phone at (561) 963-1677. Their Website is www.locksoflove.org.
