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3rd-grader donates her ponytail to Locks of Love
By: MICHELE WAYMAN
Source: Charlotte Observer
10/20/2005

Every year the McCullums and their extended family do the Buddy Walk at Freedom Park.

They walk to honor youngest child Tristan, 6, a student at Oakhurst Elementary who has Down syndrome.

But this year, the McCullums also made a big deal over middle child Savannah McCullum's haircut, planned for that day.

That's because Savannah, 8, had been growing her hair for a year and a half. After the Buddy Walk on Saturday, the third-grader at Hickory Grove Baptist Christian School had her footlong ponytail cut off to donate to Locks of Love.

The nonprofit collects human hair to make prosthetic wigs for children who have long-term medical hair loss.

It all started when Savannah met another girl growing her hair for Locks of Love in Florida. She and her mother, Teresa, and older sister, Brandyn, were there to visit family friend Kim Allen Tucker.

Tucker was Teresa's best friend in college and Savannah's godmother. She was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago.

Tucker lost her hair during cancer treatments. Her passing last summer made Savannah's goal more meaningful.

"When she passed, it was devastating," said dad, Steven. "This is how we deal with it, and get by, and make sure we remember."

Grandparents and other relatives gathered around for the big cut at the McCullum home in Brookwood.

Savannah's mom's hair stylist, Melinda Whitner, did the snipping. Afterwards, the crowd clapped. Then Whitner gave her a chin-length bob, and the guests ate cake.

Savannah said growing her straight, blond hair was worth the wait.

"I think it was pretty cool. I think I'll do it again," she said.

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