SAN DIEGO — On March 16th, people with long hair and big hearts will attempt a world record hair donation for children.
In this Zevely Zone, I went to Ocean Beach to preview 'The Great Cut'. The founders of The Longhairs, a men's grooming brand are about to cut their hair and donate it to children with medical hair loss at The Great Cut on March 16 in San Diego.
They're inviting anyone in the world to mail in their hair and help set a new world record.
It takes about two months to grow an inch of hair, so imagine the commitment it took for two boys to grow their hair for five years in order to make a donation.
We went to The Rooted Fox in Ocean Beach to meet 8-year-old donor Uriah. It was only the second haircut in his life but he was donating his hair for children in need.
"Because I want people to be happy," said Uriah. He and his brother Asher were donating to strangers. "I think kids deserve to have hair on their heads," said Asher.
The Longhairs agree. It's a San Diego based men's grooming brand that organized what they called The Great Cut in 2019.
"We are actually the current reigning champions of the most hair cut in 24 hours. We set that record in 2019 with 339 pounds of hair," said Lindsay Barto.
He and Chris Healy are the co-founders of The Longhairs who like to show off their signature hair whip move.
"Should I take two steps back?" I asked. "Yeah, probably," laughed Lindsay as he and his best friend 'whipped' up even more excitement to help children around the world suffering from medical hair loss.
"A common one is alopecia, there's also kids suffering from cancer or burn victims," said Lindsay.
On March 16th, at their next Great Cut, Chris will donate 28 inches of his hard-earned hair.
"I am going to have some mixed feelings about cutting my hair I have been the hair guy for ten years and it is a big part of my identity," said Chris.
The Great Cut will be held at the Broadway Pier, with a cutting zone the size of a football field. Hair stylist, Lisandra Antonio from The Rooted Fox, donated her skills five years ago at the last Great Cut.
"It was really fun, there was live music there was food and just like the people that came and sat in my chair to get their hair cut their stories were incredible," said Lisandra.
Uriah and Asher are donating their hair in advance in hopes of convincing you to either attend The Great Cut or mail in your own hair to help the non-profit Children With Hair Loss.
For young boys, this is quite a sacrifice, but their new hair is already growing inside of them along with a special feeling of knowing they're helping other kids in need.
"It's amazing to me that the very thing that defines The Longhairs is what they are willing to give up helping children in need. That is just extraordinary," says Regina Villemure, the Founder of Children With Hair Loss.
"Since Chris and Lindsay began supporting us in 2017 - they just give and give and give. They give of their money - 1% of their revenue - and they also give of their time and their passion. They really care about these kids, and they are so connected to them. Each time they and others cut their hair, they spread awareness about hair loss in children and gain insight into what it's like to have your hair one day and not the next. That seems to inspire them to give all the more, and we are so grateful."
The Great Cut 2024 will attempt to break the previous world record for the most hair donated to charity in 24 hours. Over 1,300 hair donors, stylists, volunteers, and guests participated in the 2019 event.
Mail-in hair donations came from nearly every state in the U.S. and a dozen countries as far away as Australia and Japan.
As a result, The Longhairs received and donated more than 2,834 individual hair donations -- 339 pounds of hair – setting a World Record that still stands today and one The Longhairs intend to beat in March.
Donate your hair—or help cut hair—at the biggest hair-cutting party of 2024.
When: Saturday, March 16, 2024 - 8:30 AM - 10 PM
Where: The Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier, 1000 N. Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA 92101. For more information click here.