May 28, 2010
by Margot Schmolka
Chappaqua Girl Scout Troops 2222, 1414, and 2535 joined together with the Beautiful Hair Color Salon in Pleasantville on Sunday afternoon to host the Girl Scouts” Second Annual Hair Cutting Event.
The Girl Scouts and the Salon promoted the event in Pleasantville and Chappaqua, asking people to donate their ponytails, which had to be at least eight inches long, to “Pantene Beautiful Lengths - The Kindest Cut of All.” The ponytails will be used to make wigs for cancer patients. Pantene’s program was chosen over other programs that require a minimum of ten inches. The girls thought it might be easier to find more donors with the shorter requirement.
The event began last year when Chappaqua Troop 2222, a sixth grade Girl Scout troop from Bell Middle School, decided to do this project for the Bronze Award. It was so successful that the Girl Scouts and the Salon decided to host it every year. This year, Troops 1414 and 2535 joined in. Both troops consist of fourth grade girls; Troop 1414 is from Roaring Brook Elementary School and Troop 2535 is from Grafflin Elementary School.
The Girl Scouts rounded up 21 participants this year, including four girls from the three troops. On the day of the event each donor received a free haircut and style from the Beautiful Hair Color Salon in exchange for their ponytail. In addition, each donor received a beautiful red rose arrangement graciously donated by Nilsson’s Flower Shop in Pleasantville. Two hair stylists as well as the Salon owner, Franco Marino, his wife and one assistant were at the salon to help with the activities.
“The staff at BHC Salon and Spa is always ready to participate in a charity event,” said Marino. “The Girls Scouts plan this event every year and we are proud to be a part of it. We donate our time, our skills and the salon. The girls donate their hair for such a great cause. Thanks for letting us be a part of it.” All together, the scouts collected twenty-one ponytails. The Girl Scouts look forward to continuing the event next year.
Margot Schmolka is the mother of two Girl Scouts who are in different troops. She is also one of the leaders of Troop 1414, a fourth grade troop from Roaring Brook.
Back row: Franco Marino, Laura Lanza, Sofia Early, Renee Napolitano, Anna Marino, Kristina Gelardi; Third row: Jordan Schmolka, Tara Anand, Megan Graham, Ellie Mercer; Middle row: Hannah Fenlon, Annabelle Lesser, Tori Sternkopf, Meghan Curtis, Emily Jakacki, Katie Graham; Front row: Laura Ullman, Emily Ashikari, Corey Schmolka
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