Jennifer Sweeney has long, long, flowing blond hair. Well, at least she did.

Sweeney, a receptionist at Peninsula Mortgage, wanted to do her part in helping the disadvantaged, and turned to Locks of Love.

The nonprofit organization, which was formed in 1997, provides hairpieces for financially disadvantaged children under 18 who have lost their hair due to long-term illnesses.

Sweeney has been growing her hair for six and a-half years.

“I thought about doing it a year ago, but I chickened out,” said Sweeney.

Sweeney says that she decided to donate her hair to Locks of Love largely because her grandfather Gerry Wegener is a cancer survivor. Wegener was there at the Tre Jolie salon to see his granddaughter have her hair cut.

“Isn’t it brave what my granddaughter’s doing?” Wegner said.

Sweeney said her heart was pounding and hairdresser Angie Heaton kept asking her, “Are you sure you want to do this?”

The ponytail, though, was cut off and Sweeney held it, laughing. Heaton went and grabbed some hairstyling magazines to help Sweeney choose her new look.

For donations, Locks of Love requires 10 inches of hair measured tip to tip. The hair must be clean and dry and in a ponytail. It must be sent in a plastic bag and a padded envelope. For more information, visit

www.locksoflove.org or call 888-896-1588.