Community Corner

Middle School Student Asks Community to Grow Their Hair For A Cause

Mackenzie Tyler hopes to donate 150 inches of hair next summer with the help of the community.

Mackenzie Tyler, a seventh grade student, at Hampton Bays Middle School is hoping to make a difference for children with cancer by asking the community to help her to donate 150 inches of hair to Locks of Love next summer.

Tyler said she became compelled to help after a student who was in her mother's kindergarten class in the Tuckahoe school district passed away from cancer when she was just 12 years old.

Learning of her death, Tyler grew her hair and last April donated 12 inches. She said she is once again growing her hair to provide another donation.

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"I want to get as many people as we can to donate their hair," said Tyler, who is planning a Hair Cutting Marathon on June 23, 2014 at the middle school.

She said that gives everyone 17 months to grow their hair as long as possible — Locks of Love only accepts donations of 10 inches or more.

Find out what's happening in Westhampton-Hampton Bayswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In the meantime, Tyler said she will be busy planning the hair cutting marathon, which she said will feature prizes for the longest donation, best make over, and most dramatic change.

And to do the cuts, Tyler has enlisted her cousin, who is a hair dresser. She is also asking for local hair stylists to volunteer by e-mailing her teacher, Pamela Renna at prenna@hbschools.us.

With many of her classmates already adorning long-hair, Tyler, who is involved in numerous sports at school including varsity golf, JV basketball and softball, said she believes she will be able to reach her goal of 150 inches.

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