English Major – I wrote ’studied apathy’ because I truly didn’t care. It was deliberate on my part not to research the organization like I usually would, hence the use of the past tense. It’s only now that I care about it since someone pointed it out. Otherwise, I would have gone on not caring about where the hair went at all. I never would have stopped to consider it because trash to me.

I did want to say that I appreciate that Locks of Love gives wigs to children with alopecia. Alopecia often makes hair loss permanent and the ridicule they endure at school is horibble. In my job, I’ve worked with some children with the disease. I’ve heard stories about schools not letting the kids wear hats or scarves due to dress codes so they have go bald all day unless they have a wig (strange logic, I know). There is little understanding of the disease so the kids may be treated oddly by their peers and teachers. With wigs, they can fit in much better and acclimate. You’re right–they are SO deserving–and again, this is a permanent condition for most of them.

It’s sad that people are getting angry with you because they think you’re not making the _best possible_ decision. Sometimes making a good one is enough, especially with small things. It’s not like you’re sending them a million dollars…that would have to be thoroughly researched and such.

I think what you’re doing is good and I hope you can start feeling good about it.

If it were me, my decision-making process would go like this:

If my hair does not fit the “extremely stringent requirements” for being used in actual hairpieces, it will either be discarded or sold. That means that I’m effectively choosing which organization to donate money to. So, which is the better organization? Let’s consider adults and children equal, and all diseases that cause hair loss alike, too. That said, Pantene Beautiful Lengths has provided as many hairpieces in one year as Locks of Love has in ten. Therefore, if my intention were to support the provision of hairpieces to people with disease-related hair loss, my donation would go there.

Obviously, donating your hair anywhere is better than chucking it, because selling it can make a charity money. And as obviously, where to donate it is exclusively your decision. But I do have to question the “this charity is better because it makes *ME* feel good” reasoning. When all things are equal, that’s a reason to tip one way or another, I think–but it’s not a good reason to pick a less efficient organization over a more efficient one.

Regardless of what you choose, your desire to help others is worthy of praise.

Question(s): How do you place a value on your hair? If they acknowledged that you sent a donation of hair last year, what do you expect it to say other than they received it? Do you really think donating HAIR is a deductible expense?

I’m just curious. I’ve donated clothes, shoes, small appliances, an old car, etc. All of these items have value (albeit a depreciated value) because I purchased them at one time. However, I’m not sure if I understand hair.