Parton takes it off for charity

By AMY SATTERWHITE / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Kevin Parton is pictured getting his 18-inches of hair cut by Teddie Greene in order to donate to the non-profit organization Locks of Love, which provides hairpieces to disadvantaged children who have lost their hair. (Photo provided)

His late great-grandmother disliked it and his father used to chide him when he complained about the summer heat, but now, there’s nothing to be concerned about when it comes to Kevin Parton’s hair.

Parton, 28, has been growing his hair since his freshman year in high school, grooming it to more than 18 inches.

A job interview, seeking a new look, or family members’ encouragement may have influenced him somewhat, but what did it for him was hearing about the organization called Locks of Love.

When the factory worker and Wizard’s store clerk heard about the organization after watching a national TV program, he decided to make an appointment to get his hair cut.

The organization provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children with medical hair loss and claims to have helped more than 800 children.

Some of those children have lost their hair due to auto-immune conditions, severe burns, dermatological conditions that resulted in permanent hair loss or radiation treatments.

“I thought I was going to have it cut some time and that I couldn’t have it long forever and that would be the best reason to get it cut,” he said.

“I thought it was a pretty good story and it’ll tug at your heart strings,” Parton added.

Two weeks ago, Parton’s hair netted two ponytails for the organization after he sought the assistance of neighboring business The Total Image hair salon.

Salon owner and Parton’s stylist, Teddie Greene, said they were both nervous when he appeared for his appointment.

“I was just very nervous for him because he didn’t know how it would look after having it long for so many years,” Greene said, adding it had been three years since she personally cut anyone’s hair long enough to meet the organization’s call for 10-to-12-inch pony tails. Parton’s pony tails are to be mailed.

Greene donated a free haircut, but Parton and his wife decided to give the money they would have paid for the cut to the organization anyway.

Parton said his hair was easier to manage when it was long. But he does have a new look, even if that was not his intention.

“All my friends know me with long hair, but everybody says they just can’t get used to it. They look at me and they barely recognize me.”

Though Parton didn’t say it, Greene said she suspected there were several people willing to donate money just so Parton would get his hair cut – among them, Parton’s father.