By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Abbie Schoenleber, the 2007 Apple Festival Princess, was more than ready to change her hairstyle Wednesday morning at Shear Talent Salon in Niles.
Other than a few trims here and there, the 5-year-old has never really has had a drastic change in her hair style. It surprised her mother, Trisha, that her daughter was everything but nervous, considering Abbie's hair was only a few inches away from her hips.
"We have been talking about getting her hair cut short for a few months now and one day I mentioned Locks of Love to her. She really liked the idea and has been talking about it since," Trisha said.
Abbie sat quietly and patiently in the styling chair as hair stylist Ronda Accoe went to work.
It took only 15 minutes to completely cut the 10 1/2 inches of hair and create her new bob-style, which rested on her shoulders.
"We have all of the information and the hair is being sent out immediately," Trisha said.
Abbie's hair is being sent to Florida, where Locks of Love will create a wig for a needy child who has lost their hair due to a medical condition.
"Before we came here, Abbie told me she wanted to do this every Wednesday. I think it's great that she was so interested in doing this. Maybe if her hair grows out long again we will donate more, but I think it's going to take time and she may want to keep it short. I'm just glad she could help out this time," Trish said.
Locks of Love accepts donations from people of all ages, races and nationalities. They do have some specific requirements for hair donations. Hair must be at least 10 inches or longer; hair cannot be bleached, chemically damaged or over-processed; hair must be clean and in the form of a pony tail or braided. Permed or colored treated hair is acceptable, but dreadlocks are not. For more information, visit www.locksoflove.org.