Cutting hair for kindness

PORT CLINTON — After two years, what started as a joke turned into an act of kindness. Aiden Jackson, a sixth-grade student at Port Clinton Middle School, has spent the last two years growing out his brown hair. But it was not for style or to follow a trend: He did it to give to another child in need and donated it to Wigs for Kids. Wigs for Kids is an Ohio-based nonprofit. Donated hair is then turned into wigs for kids who experience medical hair loss, according to the organization's website. Aiden's hair-growing journey started as a joke in his family about his ability to grow it versus his father, Rob Jackson's, inability. "I wanted kids to have a chance to have hair," Aiden said. Aiden's donation was recognized during a recent school pep rally to celebrate students ahead of state testing. Students were recognized for characteristics, like attitude, leadership and being helpful to others. Aiden's actions earned him an award for kindness. After accepting his award, Aiden said goodbye to 12 inches of his hair. He sat for a haircut in front of his classmates and family in the audience. His mother and father commented on how Aiden handled the two-year process: • "Honestly, it's kind of awesome," his mother, Samantha Jackson, said. Aiden credited Samantha for finding the Wigs for Kids organization. She noted the feature of being able to track where the hair goes after it is donated. • Robert reflected on the amount of patience his son had in the two years of growing his hair and the tough skin he had to endure the name-calling from others. His mother and father also reflected on the bullying he had to push through from other students. Only a few others knew of the kind deed Aiden was planning, so he had to have tough skin throughout the process, Robert said.