Bodine blonde donates hair to Locks of Love


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Neighbors | Submitted.Poland native Preslie Bodine (left) showed off the final plait that she sent to Locks of Love. Her Sept. 21 haircut was completed by salon owner Marilyn Fabry (right), from Capello Hair Salon in Canfield.

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Neighbors | Submitted.In a moment of truth before her Sept. 21 haircut, Preslie Bodine showed off the long ponytail that she cut off and donated to the Locks of Love organization. The Dobbins Elementary first-grader received her first dramatic haircut in over two years from hairstylist Marilyn Fabry (left).

By SARAH FOOR

sfoor@vindy.com

When Poland resident and Dobbins first-grader Preslie Bodine was a baby, she had very thin blonde hair for her first two years. Her hair started to grow in thicker as she got older.

Two years ago, Bodine and her parents discuss those early days when she had very little hair.

“After we mentioned her almost-invisible baby hair, she began to ask these very smart questions,” remembered Beth Bodine, Preslie’s mom. “Preslie asked why other kids have no hair and what they do to get some. My husband, Matt, and I explained that some kids can’t grow hair or they take medicine that makes it fall out, and that they sometimes receive special wigs donated by nice people. Right then, Preslie said she wanted to give some of her hair away.”

Since that discussion, Bodine has let her hair grow to waist length so she could donate a thick braid to Locks of Love, a foundation that provides wigs for children suffering from medical issues.

On Sept. 21, she visited Capello Hair Salon in Canfield and hairstylist Marilyn Fabry snipped Preslie’s long locks to shoulder length.

“I only told a few friends at school that I was cutting my hair – everyone was surprised the next day. My teacher, Mrs. [Kim] Aikens, said I did a very nice thing,” shared Preslie.

Even with her fresh haircut, Bodine is already planning to donate again.

“I don’t mind having my hair short or long. I know that giving my hair is helping people, so I want to do it again,” explained Bodine.

“We know the donation will be appreciated. It’s wonderful to see this philanthropy in Preslie by only the age of 6. We’re glad to help her nurture that any way we can,” shared Beth Bodine.