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People can make a fashion statement while letting people know they support charity by purchasing blue hair extensions at one of several local salons.
Chairperson of the Pediatric Cancer Foundation Stefanie Mittman spearheaded the Blue Streak of Hope project to help the organization raise money to eradicate childhood cancer.
With Mittman's help, nine local salons in towns including White Plains, Scarsdale, Larchmont, and Greenwich, CT will provide visitors with a blue ribbon hair extension for a $10 donation.
Leah's Salon in Scarsdale sold about $1,500 in blue ribbon hair extensions last year and about the same this year, said Michael Ferraro an employee in charge of fundraisers.
"It is a way of giving back to the community and a way of supporting a good cause," said Ferraro. "The people, usually kids, react to the blue streak with a 'wow'."
Mittman, who started with the organization 13 years ago as a volunteer, watched the Blue Streak of Hope grow since its inception in 2008 from one participating salon to the current nine.
According to Mittman, the organization has already collected close to $3,000 and expects donations to reach new highs thanks to the additional participating salons.
"It's been very rewarding to see," she said. "We've reached out to these salons and they agreed to buy the ribbons themselves and promote the project."
Mittman said the salons participate for reasons beyond the financial aspect, but the project has still helped them in getting more people in the door. One salon in White Plains, La Bottega, is also donating all tips they received.
"They do it because they want to," she said. "They are happy to give back in such a simple way."
The idea sprouted from the organization's annual Bikeathon, which the group has run since 2000. The event invites bicyclists to ride on the Bronx River Parkway finishing across the street from the County Center in White Plains.
More information on this and more ways to contribute to the Pediatric Cancer Foundation can be found at their Web site, www.pcfweb.org. They can also be reached at (914) 777-3127.
Did you participate? How do you like your blue hair look? Please leave comments below.
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