Our first Hair for Hope event on Nov. 5 was even more successful than we anticipated! More than 300 people attended this inaugural event and our stylists collected 46 ponytails to donate to Pantene Beautiful Lengths. Those ponytails will be used to make wigs that will be given- free of charge via American Cancer Society wig banks throughout the country- to women battling cancer.

People came from Tampa, Orlando and throughout Polk County to donate their hair, and to all who donated, we thank you.

Thank you to Mrs. Florida America Janet McCulloh and Mrs. Lakeland America Shawna Marie Taylor for coming out and posing for photos and signing autographs during the event.

We also thank the many vendors who set up informational displays that evening. Those vendors included Smoothie King, Gold’s Gym, Curves for Women, Jackson Hewitt, YMCA of Lakeland, American Cancer Society, First Baptist Church at the Mall, K&F Unlimited (who did all the cooking), Brandon Taylor and 3 A.M. DJ, Broadway Studio Photography, Broadway Dance Theatre, Sun n’ Fun, CiCi’s Pizza, Lakeland Music Center, Sun Electric Company and Full Cover Insurance Solutions.

If you were a vendor and we’ve  neglected to mention you, please e-mail us so we can add you to the list. This event wouldn’t have been as successful without you!

A big thank you goes out to Lakeland public relations firm Lorrie Walker Communications, Inc. who provided all of the publicity that made this event so successful.

Following are photos of some who donated their hair during the event.