Two Berea workers who now have long locks will be raffling the rights to cut their hair on July 29 at Berea’s American Legion Post 91. This is part of an initiative of Locks of Love, a nonprofit organization that provides hairpieces to those who have cancer and other medical conditions that result in hair loss.
James “Jim” Walters III, Berea’s law director, and Lisa Kimpel, a U.S. Postal Service clerk at the Berea branch, have both grown out their hair to donate to the cause.
Tickets to the event cost $5, and all proceeds from the fundraiser will go to The Gathering Place, a local support network for cancer patients and their families. All ticket holders are eligible for the drawing to get the chance to cut either Walters or Kimpel’s hair. In the event that the ticket holder to cut Walters’ hair is not present, the honor goes to his wife Dottie.
Walters started growing out his hair in 2009, after a young relative grew her hair out and donated it.
“I have way too many friends who have died from cancer. One was in his 30s,” he said. “This is a way to help those during their difficult time.” His hair is now over 10 inches long, at ponytail length, and can be cut and sent to the group.
Kimpel has over 12 inches of flowing red hair, and has already often donated to the cause.
“My grandfather died of cancer,” she said. “My father died of prostate cancer. This is a way of helping the cause.”
The doors to the event open at 6pm, with the hair cutting set to begin at 8pm. Refreshments will be served.
