Student donates hair to Locks of Love
Alexis J. Alexander, Digest Contributing Writer
Issue date: 11/27/07 Section: News
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When many young people contribute to society through deeds such as fundraisers, mentoring, blood drives and tutoring as a means of community service, senior economics major Yonas Fesseha characterized service through his hair.
The Dallas native cut his hair, usually worn in the form of braids, earlier this month in order to donate his hair to Locks of Love. The non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children who suffer from hair loss due to various medical diagnoses.
"I had been growing my hair out for eight years this November. I have no regrets with cutting my hair," Fesseha said. "The response has been so positive and quite overwhelming. It feels good."
Pending graduation and an internship opportunity, Fesseha said he knew that he would have to eventually let go of his trademark hair-style.
He said that the decision was made earlier this year after discussing, with his friend Morris Lee Brown, future career goals and the way society sets a standard on corporate images.
Brown informed Fesseha about Locks of Love and Fesseha began his own personal research on the organization. Brown set a date to have the hair cut and Fesseha stuck to it.
Brown, a senior psychology major from Orlando said that Fesseha is a really nice and courageous guy to think of someone else other than himself.
After his hair was cut, he submitted the application with the hair and within a few weeks, he received an acceptance letter and thank you note from a female recipient in Orlando.
"It's ironic that my roommate (Brown) and the actual hair recipient are both from Orlando," Fesseha said.
Frederick Lewis was the barber who cut Fesseha's hair at CJ's Barber Shop & Beauty Shop on Florida Boulevard.
Lewis said that Fesseha is one of the first customers he has had to do such a good deed and hopes that he will have more in the future.
"Since what he was doing was for a good cause, I knew I had to do a good job," he said. "What he is doing is beautiful."
The Dallas native cut his hair, usually worn in the form of braids, earlier this month in order to donate his hair to Locks of Love. The non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children who suffer from hair loss due to various medical diagnoses.
"I had been growing my hair out for eight years this November. I have no regrets with cutting my hair," Fesseha said. "The response has been so positive and quite overwhelming. It feels good."
Pending graduation and an internship opportunity, Fesseha said he knew that he would have to eventually let go of his trademark hair-style.
He said that the decision was made earlier this year after discussing, with his friend Morris Lee Brown, future career goals and the way society sets a standard on corporate images.
Brown informed Fesseha about Locks of Love and Fesseha began his own personal research on the organization. Brown set a date to have the hair cut and Fesseha stuck to it.
Brown, a senior psychology major from Orlando said that Fesseha is a really nice and courageous guy to think of someone else other than himself.
After his hair was cut, he submitted the application with the hair and within a few weeks, he received an acceptance letter and thank you note from a female recipient in Orlando.
"It's ironic that my roommate (Brown) and the actual hair recipient are both from Orlando," Fesseha said.
Frederick Lewis was the barber who cut Fesseha's hair at CJ's Barber Shop & Beauty Shop on Florida Boulevard.
Lewis said that Fesseha is one of the first customers he has had to do such a good deed and hopes that he will have more in the future.
"Since what he was doing was for a good cause, I knew I had to do a good job," he said. "What he is doing is beautiful."
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